My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead

Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Were You With the Marquis the Night Before Last?

Qin Yuan’s eyebrows gently trembled as she looked at Old Madam Gu in shock.

In her previous life, Qin Wan and Marquis Gu were at odds, becoming a resentful couple in less than half a year.

After Lady Zhao’s mourning period ended, Marquis Gu took Lady Zhao as a concubine. It was said that the reason Old Madam Gu finally agreed was that Lady Zhao could bear children, perhaps even another pair of twins.

These days, she neither argued nor fought, avoiding the provocations of Lady Zhao and others, which unexpectedly led the Old Madam to change her mind, taking Qin Yuan by surprise.

Qin Yuan softly called, ”Mother.”

This call of ”Mother” was filled with genuine emotion.

Old Madam Gu smiled and said, ”You child, go back early and see Hui’er. The two of you being well together makes me happier than anything else.”

Having endured so much grievance yet still defending her son, the Old Madam felt gratified, thinking this marriage was a good match.

After Qin Yuan left, Nanny Rong said, ”Old Madam, you previously said you would let the Marchioness learn to manage the household after some time. Why have you changed your mind so quickly?”

Old Madam Gu sighed and said, ”I underestimated her temperament and character before. Fengxuan Pavilion has been finding excuses to invite the Marquis over these past two days. She didn’t make a fuss, which is both pitiable and worrying, as it suggests she might be too soft and unable to handle matters.”

”But look at what she said today: both bold and insightful, defending that rascal. Clearly, she has plans in her heart, but being newlywed into the Marquis Mansion, she found it inappropriate to act out.”

”I just went along with her intentions. Treasure Bead is young and naive. Sixth Elder’s wife has been managing the household for so many years, but she clearly doesn’t have the Marquis in her heart. The Marquis suffers hardships outside, yet they live comfortably. But who truly considers that rascal? With Yuan’er showing care and warmth, he might live a few good days.”

Nanny Rong nodded and said, ”Nothing escapes the Old Madam’s eyes. The Marchioness is the daughter of the Qingliu Family, educated from an early age. Just that remark about rotting from the inside out is no simple matter. With her looking after the Marquis, the Marquis Mansion will surely rise to a new level.”

Old Madam Gu thought for a moment and suddenly said, ”Later, find a moment to visit the Marquis. Tell him these words and let him feel ashamed.”

Nanny Rong: ”...”

Qin Yuan returned to Wutong Garden and headed to the side room. Pushing the door open, she indeed saw Gu Jinghui still asleep on the bed. She couldn’t help but smile silently, went out, dutifully inquiring and instructing the maids at the door before turning to the main house.

Hong Ye asked, ”Miss, why are you smiling?”

”Someone feels too ashamed to meet me, hiding away not to face me.”

Hong Ye: ”?”

Qin Yuan said, ”Wait for Gu Shiliu to return, bring him some food and get close to him. Ask where the Marquis stayed the night before yesterday? Why was he late returning on the day we visited home? What on earth did the Marquis do to get beaten by the Old Madam?”

Hong Ye nodded in agreement.

Gu Shiliu returned from outside, intending to report to the Marquis in the side room, but was stopped by Hong Ye under the corridor.

”Miss Hong Ye, what’s this?”

Hong Ye smiled brightly and said, ”The lady said the Marquis was still sleeping and asked me to keep watch here to avoid disturbances.”

Gu Shiliu: ”...”

The Marquis is still waiting for his news.

Hong Ye asked, ”You weren’t here last night, what were you doing?”

Gu Shiliu stammered a few words, and Hong Ye asked again, ”Have you eaten?”

”No.”

Gu Shiliu licked his chapped lips.

Hong Ye said, ”It’s past meal time. I have some pastries here. Do you want some?”

Gu Shiliu said, ”Yes.”

Hong Ye was standing guard here, and he found it inconvenient to see the Marquis, plus he was hungry.

Hong Ye then lowered her head, opened the light green pocket tied to her waist, took out a few pieces of mung bean cake, handed them to him, and said, ”Eat slowly, I’ll have a little maid pour you some water.”

Gu Shiliu responded with a nod.

With Hong Ye being so considerate, she surely had something to say.

Indeed, after only eating half a piece, Hong Ye asked, ”Did you follow the Marquis to Fengxuan Pavilion the night before yesterday?”

Gu Shiliu shivered slightly, lowered his head: ”Yes.”

”Where did the Marquis stay that night?”

Gu Shiliu choked.

”How do you get choked eating a mung bean cake,” Hong Ye was genuinely puzzled, turned her head to shout to a little maid, ”Why hasn’t the tea been brought to Sixteen Brother yet?”

Gu Shiliu extended his neck, patiently waited for the tea, swallowing it all in one gulp, then croaked, ”Is it the lady asking?”

Hong Ye was puzzled: ”Who else but me would be asking?”

Gu Shiliu quickly asked, ”What else does the lady want to find out?”

Hong Ye said, ”What else could she be finding out? What held the Marquis up that day? Wasn’t it said they were returning home together? What did the Marquis do to get beaten by the Old Madam?”

The barrage of questions left Gu Shiliu’s legs weak. ℴ

”Oh...” Gu Shiliu said, ”I suddenly need a quick bathroom break, I’ll come find you after.”

Hong Ye: ”...”

Gu Shiliu hurriedly ran off, only returning after a while, peeking to see Hong Ye still waiting outside for him.

Gu Shiliu then quickly turned to the window of the side room, coughed a few times, seemingly talking to himself, ”Why hasn’t the Marquis woken yet, if Hong Ye asks me, should I say or not?”

Shortly after, the Marquis’s voice came from inside, ”Where is Sixteen, where has Sixteen gone?”

Gu Shiliu quickly emerged from the corner, responding eagerly, ”Coming, coming.”

He hurriedly walked over to Hong Ye, apologizing, ”Didn’t expect the Marquis to call me right then, I’ll talk next time.”

Hong Ye returned in frustration, complaining to Qin Yuan, ”It’s really hard to get information. Only three questions were asked, and Gu Shiliu needed a bathroom break, then the Marquis woke up and called him.”

With the Marquis summoning them, what more could be asked?

Qin Yuan was engrossed in reviewing the account books, enjoying herself. These were the account records that the Sixth Lady Gu had a maid deliver to her, for her to familiarize herself with managing affairs.

From these records, she could deduce what expenses and exchanges the Marquis Mansion had in a year.

She knew she had just arrived and was unfamiliar with the Marquis Mansion. Thus, she could only slowly grasp the intricacies of the mansion through these minor details.

Qin Yuan was confident that as long as she could see the account books of the Marquis Mansion, no matter what aspect they were, she could follow the clues and understand the mansion thoroughly and clearly.

Hearing Hong Ye’s complaint, Qin Yuan didn’t even look up, saying, ”He will have moments of being alone. If you ask every day, he’ll eventually tell.”

Cui Ming said, ”Weren’t you a know-it-all in the Qin Mansion? Why can’t you seem to get settled in here.”

Hong Ye, spurred on by the challenge, said, ”It’s just because I just arrived and am not familiar yet. I just got a handle on how many courtyards and masters this place has. Give me ten days or half a month, and I’ll make sure to find out everything.”

Qin Yuan said, ”You help me manage the tea room and get along well with them, then you’ll naturally know everything. How big was the Qin Mansion compared to the Marquis Mansion? How long will it take you to ask one by one?”

”You want me to manage the tea room?” Hong Ye was incredulous.

”Indeed.” Qin Yuan replied casually.

In her previous life, Hong Ye was a valuable asset at her side.

”What about me?” Cui Ming leaned in to ask.

”You take care of the sewing room.”

Qin Yuan stretched lazily, squinting her eyes comfortably, saying, ”Just familiarize yourselves first. There will be more to manage in the future. Teach the little maids reported yesterday, and pick out some promising ones from them.”

Before Hong Ye and Cui Ming could express their delight, the sound of porcelain smashing on the blue brick floor came from the side room, followed by Marquis Gu’s shocked and angry voice: ”How can such a thing exist!”