Hong Ye immediately asked, "What is it, girl? Speak slowly. What exactly has happened to Seventh Miss?"

The young maid hurriedly waved her hands, "It’s hard to explain in a short while. If we go late, I’m afraid that Seventh Miss will suffer greatly. Our miss urged me to quickly come and invite Dingbei Marquis’s wife, saying only she can persuade Seventh Miss not to risk herself."

Qin Yuan gave a light chuckle and said, "What’s really going on? If you can’t explain clearly, and I rush there only to find that we need to invite Old Madam as well, wouldn’t that be a waste of effort?"

The young maid, drenched in sweat, continued to urge. Pressed by questions, she admitted she couldn’t clearly explain either, but her master insisted on inviting people anyhow.

As they were talking, the women from Wuding Marquis Mansion also approached and asked with a smile, "What’s happening?"

Qin Yuan stood up, gracefully and softly said, "I’m unsure of what’s going on either. This young maid claims she’s serving beside Miss You. I don’t know what trouble my sister-in-law has stirred up. If I don’t go, it might not end well.

But it’s my first time accompanying Mother as a guest, and I’m really uncertain what to do. When asked about the matter, she couldn’t explain and just kept urging. I truly don’t know what to do."

The ladies of Wuding Marquis Mansion surrounded the young maid, asking repeatedly while the maid was close to tears, only saying that Miss Gu Qi had caused great trouble, and only Dingbei Marquis’s wife could persuade her.

Qin Yuan said, "If it’s such a great disaster, we indeed need to invite Mother to have a look. I really can’t decide on this matter."

The two ladies of Wuding Marquis Mansion, understanding Qin Yuan’s difficulty, suggested, "Yes, best you quickly invite Old Madam Gu."

The young maid hurriedly stopped them, "I’m afraid someone from Old Madam Gu’s side has already been sent. Dingbei Marquis’s wife should come with me right away."

Hong Ye suddenly asked, "Earlier you said only our madam could persuade Seventh Miss, so Miss You sent you urgently to invite her. How come now you mention someone’s already been sent to invite Old Madam Gu?"

Cui Ming said, "Madam, let’s first invite Old Madam. If Old Madam arrives first, she can naturally persuade Seventh Miss. If Old Madam isn’t aware of this, we must definitely invite her."

Qin Yuan no longer hesitated, nodding, "You speak right. Let this maid follow us, and we first talk to Mother about this."

The young maid inwardly lamented repeatedly but had no choice. She could only follow Qin Yuan and others to seek Old Madam Gu.

The women of Wuding Marquis Mansion no longer wandered and followed behind to watch the commotion.

Madam You was speaking with a gathering of Dukes’ Mansion and Marquis Mansion old feudal lords, precisely discussing the Gu Family’s young wife. Old Madam Gu praised Qin Yuan repeatedly, saying Cao Cao has arrived promptly.

Ru Hua received the young maid’s report and smiled, "This is quite a coincidence. Dingbei Marquis’s wife has arrived outside with something urgent to discuss with Old Madam Gu."

Madam You pursed her lips, "Look how closely bonded you two are. In such a short time, your new daughter-in-law comes seeking you. I birthed seven or eight, but haven’t seen any daughter-in-law act like this."

The implication was Qin Yuan couldn’t handle matters, seeking elders over trivial issues.

Ru Hua laughed, "What are you saying, Old Madam? Even those as old as me know the saying: a family welcomes one of their own. Old Madam Gu favors daughter-in-laws like Dingbei Marquis’s wife. Otherwise, why wouldn’t she be our daughter-in-law at Duke Zhen’s Mansion?"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Ru Hua’s words somewhat disparaged Dingbei Marquis’s wife while elevating Duke Zhen’s Mansion, but those present were wise enough not to upset Old Madam Gu, knowing Dingbei Marquis was favored currently.

Everyone took it as a joke and laughed it off.

Old Madam Gu turned and asked, "What’s the matter? Is something in the mansion my daughter-in-law can’t decide?"

Madam You suggested, "Why not invite them in to talk, and let us listen too. If there’s anything, we can offer advice to you and your daughter-in-law."

Saying this, she instructed Ru Hua, "Instead of joking around, go promptly invite Dingbei Marquis’s wife. I’ve always heard despite her young age, she manages the household well, earning respect inside and out; such a clever person, I must meet her."

They’ve decided to get involved in Dingbei Marquis Mansion’s affairs.

Everyone pretended to drink tea.

Not long after, Qin Yuan and her party were led in by Ru Hua, and upon entering, they greeted everyone respectfully. Qin Yuan then addressed Old Madam Gu, "Mother, fortunately, I insisted on visiting you. The person Miss You sent hasn’t arrived yet. Let’s hurry, Miss You sent messages saying Treasure Bead has caused trouble, waiting for us to persuade."

This caused a stir among everyone.

"What’s going on?" Madam You, surprised as the matter involved her granddaughter, hurriedly asked questions.

Others began discussing too.

Old Madam Gu was startled, but seeing Qin Yuan’s calm demeanor, she regained composure. Her face showed urgency as she asked, "Explain thoroughly, what exactly happened to Treasure Bead? How did she stir trouble at Duke Zhen’s Mansion? What disaster did she cause? With Duke Zhen’s old madam here, don’t worry. Just speak up and let her resolve it."

Qin Yuan hesitated, "This... It’s my first time accompanying Mother as a guest, I’m somewhat uncertain, this..."

"What’s there that’s tough to express?" Madam You smiled warmly, appearing very kind, "Here at Duke Zhen’s Mansion, share it for us all to hear."

Qin Yuan commanded, pushing the shrinking young maid forward, "I don’t completely understand either. We were enjoying the scenery in Su Garden when this young maid rushed in, saying Miss You sent her to urge us to see quickly, claiming Treasure Bead caused significant trouble in need of our persuasion. After a long talk, she still couldn’t clarify. I thought if Treasure Bead did cause trouble, it’s best to have Mother intervene."

Madam You was momentarily stunned, her drooping eyelids lifted, examining the frightened young maid.

Only then did she hesitantly ask, "This maid looks unfamiliar, Ru Hua, come check which side’s maid she belongs to."

Ru Hua stepped forward with a smile, "Indeed, she’s Miss’s maid named Ning Hong, but she doesn’t serve directly, hence hasn’t appeared much before ancestors."

Madam You nodded kindly, "Looks rather pitiable, probably bought from outside, unfamiliar with nobles, trembling like this, can’t convey the message clearly. Cough, Ning Hong, speak clearly. What’s the matter?"

Ning Hong shook even more violently.

Dingbei Marquis’s wife doesn’t follow the rules, leaving her at a loss what to say now.