Qin Yuan raised an eyebrow, "Has Mr. Songshan discovered something?"

Mr. Songshan said, "Sixth Master and Shi Ba and I pondered repeatedly and found it quite peculiar that the birthday banquet of the Old Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion was scheduled before the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet. Also, in previous years, her birthday banquet was not on a fixed date."

"But they are all in August?"

Mr. Songshan shook his head, "Upon questioning the merchants who deliver to Duke Zhen’s Mansion, they said there were also times in July and September — it seems the birthday banquet is just a cover."

Since they wanted to hold a birthday banquet, the scale naturally couldn’t be small, and the mansion would inevitably increase its purchases.

Those who can do business with Duke Zhen’s Mansion are not small businesses; their annual accounts are meticulously recorded, perhaps even clearer than those in Duke Zhen’s Mansion. How else could they firmly hold onto their business?

"A cover?" Qin Yuan frowned.

There are many ways to collect money in officialdom, and organizing birthday banquets for the elders is one.

The main income of local officials each year comes from the filial gifts of their subordinates, which always have names, such as holiday gifts, family birthdays, etc.

After currying favor with superiors and securing their official position, they move on to solicit gifts from merchants and gentry, which is a common practice among officials.

There are some unprincipled ones whose elderly mothers celebrate their birthdays three times a year.

But at a high position like Duke Zhen’s Mansion, it shouldn’t be that way.

Qin Yuan pondered, "Duke Zhen’s Mansion is aligned with the Crown Prince faction. The current Empress Dowager is the Emperor’s biological mother..."

Mr. Songshan stroked his beard and said, "An extraordinary situation calls for extraordinary schemes. If Duke Zhen’s Mansion isn’t acting under a false sense of favor, then they are plotting something significant and have obtained the approval of the Crown Prince and others. Moreover, the banquet was organized hastily; the merchants mentioned they hadn’t heard any prior word and thought it was to avoid the Empress Dowager’s birthday. Unexpectedly, the You Family suddenly informed them of the event, urging them to procure quickly without delay, with a very tight deadline."

It seems like a very last-minute decision.

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "The Empress Dowager has only one son, the Emperor, but more than just the Crown Prince as a grandson. I think this matter is also passed to the Emperor in some clear way."

Mr. Songshan nodded.

The two exchanged a look, and Qin Yuan said in a deep voice, "The thing that troubles Empress Lin now is the marriage of her two children."

Mr. Songshan clapped and smiled, "If that’s the case, it makes sense. Settling the candidates before the birthday banquet and bestowing marriage on the day of the banquet would be a good omen. Previously Duke Zhen’s Mansion wanted to send a beautiful portrait near the Crown Prince through Seventh Miss, and now Princess Fuyun’s prince consort is a top scholar from Jiangxi, who has worked at the Hanlin Academy for many years and drawn in many from Jiangxi for Prince Qi. The Crown Prince is weak, and the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers are unwilling to give their legitimate daughters to him. Empress Lin gave Prince Qi a lift while suppressing Princess Fuyun, becoming impatient and not as meticulous in her actions."

Qin Yuan nodded.

Previously, the You Family wanted to send the beauty portrait through Gu Baoshu, now they’ve simply invited her home.

Indeed, it’s rather urgent.

"The You Family being like a dragon’s pool and tiger’s den," Gu Baoshu became interested, slammed the table, and said loudly, "Third Sister-in-law, don’t be afraid, I will protect you on that day."

"You better protect yourself," said Sixth Master Gu, who had been listening quietly, rolling his eyes at his sister, "Third Sister-in-law is already married, if the Crown Prince sets his eyes on you, it will be trouble."

Gu Baoshu snorted coldly, raising her fist, dismissively saying, "If he dares, let him come. Can that sickly guy withstand a punch from me?"

Qin Yuan ignored the siblings, lowering her head in silence.

In a previous life, the Crown Princess Consort’s position hung undecided for a long time, and in the end, the choice was the legitimate daughter of Vice Minister Niu’s family. Afterward, Vice Minister Niu was repeatedly promoted and squeezed into the cabinet, but after the Crown Prince died, he was squeezed out again.

Currently...

Mr. Songshan said, "Open calamity is easy to avoid, but hidden arrows are hard to defend. Even if you are proficient in martial arts, a lapse and falling into a trap can lead to irreversible consequences."

"Did you hear? Third Brother has long said that there are always experts above experts; never should one be arrogant."

Sixth Master Gu seized the opportunity to lecture his sister.

Gu Baoshu said, "Then I’ll pretend to be ill and not go. After the festival, I’ll go to the academy. What can he do to me?"

Mr. Songshan did not agree, "You still need to go. If you don’t go, how will you protect your Third Sister-in-law? If it’s indeed for the Crown Prince’s marriage, on that day, the Empress will surely attend herself, not to mention that the Ninth Princess’s marriage hasn’t been finalized yet."

Qin Yuan raised her head, lightly tapping the table, sighed, "What Sir said is very true."

"What does this mean?" Gu Baoshu asked in surprise. Why couldn’t she understand?

Mr. Songshan glanced at her and bluntly said, "The Dingbei Marquis Mansion is unwilling to part with a daughter, but don’t they have a son? The Ninth Princess is a royal daughter; how could she be made a concubine?"

Gu Baoshu was stunned for a moment, then after a long while, became shocked, "This is preposterous! My Third Brother is a war god, how can he be manipulated at will? Besides, it’s rumored outside that my Third Brother is impotent; if Empress Lin agrees to the marriage, wouldn’t it be a complete loss of face."

"Gu Baoshu!" Sixth Master Gu blushed and quickly stopped her, "Listen to the nonsense you’re spouting, all these vulgar words picked up from hanging out outside recently."

Gu Shiba swiftly glanced at Qin Yuan, then hurriedly lowered his gaze.

"I..." Gu Baoshu quickly closed her mouth, also looking at Qin Yuan pitifully.

But Mr. Songshan maintained his composure and continued, "Perhaps it’s exactly because of this that Empress Lin thinks Marquis Gu would be grateful. These days they are fighting for the world; what’s face compared to that?"

If face mattered, Empress Lin wouldn’t have achieved the enormous wealth she has today.

Snatching and contending, there is always a fear of not getting enough.

Qin Yuan said, "Don’t worry, Sir, I’ve noted everything and will be more cautious in the future."

Gu Baoshu also realized, saying, "Then I’ll simply protect Third Sister-in-law and won’t go to study until the Ninth Princess’s marriage is settled."

Qin Yuan smiled, "That’s not necessary. Your third brother will find ways to protect me."

Empress Lin, upon realizing the alliance between Marquis Gu and Prince Qi, would certainly not waste the move of the Ninth Princess.

It’s just that...

She indeed needs to exercise more caution to avoid collateral damage.

Mr. Songshan nodded, "As long as you are aware. Now let us discuss how to verify and authenticate the information."

Gu Baoshu exclaimed, "Is that all there is to say? This concerns my Third Sister-in-law’s safety."

"Third Sister-in-law’s safety?" Sixth Master Gu was shocked.

Gu Baoshu rolled her eyes, "Sixth Brother, do you think the Ninth Princess would fancy you instead?"

Sixth Master Gu also rolled his eyes at her.

Gu Baoshu said, "Even if the Ninth Princess fancied Sixth Brother, the Empress wouldn’t agree, so the only one left is Third Brother. With Third Sister-in-law being such a gem, how would Third Brother agree to marry the Ninth Princess?"

Sixth Master Gu looked towards Qin Yuan in panic, unable to speak as his face turned pale.

Mr. Songshan said, "Alright, this is merely my conjecture to keep you prepared and not fall into someone else’s trap. A fuss over nothing, lacking composure."

Seeing Qin Yuan’s steady demeanor, the siblings also calmed down.

On the side, Gu Shiba couldn’t help but admire, feeling increasingly that his own Marquis was truly fortunate. The lady, though young, remained unfazed amid chaos, unlike ordinary women who would have long been flustered by such news, yet she stayed as composed as ever.