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

Chapter 92: Chapter 92: Wanting to Ask Something Private

Qin Yuan returned to the Wutong Garden, took out the ledger and reviewed it. When the housekeepers arrived, she had already finished reading and had transcribed the problematic parts of the ledger, demanding that the shopkeepers explain the discrepancies according to her notes.

Gu Shiliu wasn’t present, which was inconvenient.

Qin Yuan simply had someone find her own attendant; his surname was Shen, given name Changle, a clever man with sharp eyes that could observe all directions and ears that could hear beyond.

In their past lives, after she and Lin Ziqi arrived in Zhejiang, Shen Changle became a gatekeeper at the government office, and many people had to act in accordance with his mood.

However, due to some mistakes later on, he was no longer serving close by.

Handling the shopkeepers with a few casual remarks, Shen Changle would instantly understand.

Qin Yuan summoned him to her side and had Hong Ye hand him the box containing the ledgers, saying, ”These ledgers were redone by the shopkeepers of the dowry shop, yet numerous errors remain. Originally, last time I didn’t deal with them which was lenient. Now if these errors can’t be explained, ask them to settle all accounts and seek a new position.”

Shen Changle, with a round body and a kindly face, accepted the box and asked, ”Madam, should we caution them or...?”

Qin Yuan replied, ”You take a good look for me. Report back on those who are slack and inattentive in their duties.”

Shen Changle immediately understood; this was for him to deliver messages and assess if these people were still useful, so he said, ”Understood.”

After he left, Hong Ye asked quietly, ”Why choose him, Miss? He seems not to offend anyone...”

Implying that Shen Changle might not be intimidating enough.

Qin Yuan said, ”I lack people to command by my side. Whether Shen Changle is useful must be tested first. As the proverb goes, you cannot judge a person by appearance, nor measure the ocean with a pint. Moreover, the more amiable and easy-going he looks, the less guarded others will be against him.”

Hong Ye pondered carefully.

Qin Yuan added, ”Keep observing, you will learn gradually. There’s no rush at the moment. When he returns with the report, you listen by the side.”

Hong Ye gratefully said, ”I know Miss is also cultivating me.”

Before Hong Ye could continue, Qin Yuan quickly nodded, ”Good that you know.”

Hong Ye would often excitedly make many promises.

She had become quite accustomed to hearing them.

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses; in general, Hong Ye is loyal and capable, which is sufficient.

Cui Ming entered to hurry, ”The housekeepers are all outside waiting, including Mrs. Lu and that Mrs. Li. Miss, do you want to speak with her?”

Mrs. Li was invited by Cui Ming to share Mrs. Lu’s duties.

Outside in the shade, tables and chairs were arranged, with tea, snacks, paper, and brush fully prepared.

Seeing Qin Yuan come out, everyone immediately stood straight, adopting an exceedingly proper stance.

Qin Yuan nodded to everyone in acknowledgment and then sat behind the desk, listening to Hong Ye while the roll call commenced.

It’s the usual matters.

Now, all the housekeepers had decided to neither achieve merit nor fault, avoiding being caught by Qin Yuan for reprimands.

Qin Yuan glanced at the newly promoted Mrs. Li, whose face bore some pride, yet she couldn’t conceal a sense of awkwardness.

Obviously hoping to replace Mrs. Lu, yet hesitating and lacking confidence.

Qin Yuan asked, ”Is there anything difficult to manage in the needlework room?”

Mrs. Li hastily replied, ”Madam, everything is going smoothly.”

”Are there enough embroidery threads?”

”We have plenty.”

”Should we add some new types?”

”I’ve assessed last year’s embroidery items and they should be sufficient.”

Mrs. Lu nearby twisted awkwardly.

Qin Yuan smiled, ”If that’s the case, do your best.”

Mrs. Li’s face lightened up, smilingly saying, ”Thank you, Madam.”

”You should thank Miss Cui Ming. She favored you, which is why she recommended you.”

”Yes, yes, thank you, Miss Cui Ming.”

Mrs. Li even considered Cui Ming as her own talent scout, once thinking she wouldn’t have the chance to become a housekeeper in this lifetime; unexpectedly, Miss Cui Ming chose her among the nannies.

She must seize this opportunity.

Qin Yuan glanced at Mrs. Lu with a smile.

Mrs. Lu’s face flushed purple like an eggplant.

The other housekeepers took note, no longer daring to have thoughts of deceiving their master.

...

”Yuan’er doesn’t know what’s happening, Mother still hasn’t sent word.”

Marquis Gu idled in the Great Camp, couldn’t help but mutter repeatedly.

They had discussed about the housekeepers before his departure. He wondered how his young wife managed it?

Without his assistance, could she handle it alone?

Last night...

Last night, he read ”Romance of the Three Kingdoms” all night.

This heartless woman.

The more Gu Jinghui thought about it, the more annoyed he became, putting down the book roll. He decided to wander outside, with a stride like a dragon’s and a tiger’s, to watch the soldiers train.

To his dismay, what he saw made him even angrier.

”This bunch of idiots, acting like they haven’t had enough to eat.”

So sluggish early in the morning.

What a disgrace.

Gu Jinghui radiated a chilling air, lips pressed tightly together, his sharp eyes emitting a piercing gaze.

Normally, those who saw him like this would have straightened up.

Yet today, several troublemakers carried on as usual, oblivious to his intimidation.

Gu Jinghui stormed over with large steps, lifted his foot to kick, and shouted angrily, ”What are you doing?”

The soldiers, about to retaliate, were startled by the familiar angry shout, exclaiming, ”General, it’s General, the General has returned.”

Gu Jinghui: ”...”

The soldiers dared not slack, but their eyes on him carried a strange gaze, lacking the respect they usually bore, tinged with something else.

Gu Jinghui angrily said, ”All of you step forward, squat under the pole. If you still fail to behave, forget about lunch.”

The named ones had no choice but to shout and run under the pole to squat.

Under the increasingly intense sun, they brushed off their earlier sluggishness.

Gu Jinghui circled around, receiving many curious glances, then returned to the camp, sat down.

Picking up the book only to put it down again.

With his hand supporting his forehead, he wondered why life that he had found manageable since youth had suddenly become unbearable?

”General, Assistant General Jin seeks audience.”

”Enter,” Gu Jinghui sat up straight, responding sternly.

Assistant General Jin, with a burly figure and a face covered in whiskers like a black bear, walked in smiling, ”The subordinates pooled some money, had the chef prepare something nice to celebrate the Marquis’s wedding. They specifically recommended me to invite you, Marquis, please honor us.”

Celebrations, weddings, and such are excellent opportunities for officials to gift superiors.

Gu Jinghui didn’t care much for these.

Marriage is serious business; this couldn’t be refused.

Gu Jinghui agreed readily, and Assistant General Jin chimed in with a smile, ”Did the Marquis shave after marrying? I thought a handsome young lad had appeared in camp.”

He arrived at the camp late yesterday, didn’t attend roll call, so few had seen him, hence no rumors were spread.

Assistant General Jin’s words were mere ordinary compliments.

But hearing them, Gu Jinghui’s cold, handsome face showed signs of trouble, along with a faint, nearly invisible hint of sweetness, ”I originally didn’t want to shave, but my wife is young and tender; worried she might be scared, I had to shave.”

Seeing his demeanor, how could Assistant General Jin not realize, Marquis Gu was genuinely fond of the Marchioness?

Remembering his wife’s comments regarding the Dingbei Marquis’s wife, Assistant General Jin squinted his eyes, drawing closer to Marquis Gu, intending to ask more personal questions.