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

Chapter 141: Chapter 141: If Only You Had a Bit of Insight

Qin Yuan asked, ”Is the Sixth Madam sure Zhenzhen went to Yu Yuantang?”

Marquis Gu’s eyes flickered.

The nanny nodded and said, ”That’s what the Sixth Madam said.”

Sixth Master Gu sighed wistfully, ”Yesterday, I and Si Yuan were strolling and reciting poems on the embankment when we saw someone jumping off the boat. If I had known Zhenzhen went to Yu Yuantang, I would have definitely taken a look.”

Marquis Gu asked, ”I was about to ask you, yesterday morning when you left the mansion, did you notice anything strange? Was anyone following you?”

Sixth Master Gu frowned for a moment, then shook his head, ”No, Third Brother. You know I rarely leave so early. Yu Yuantang is quite far, and I had to pick Si Yuan up, so I left early.”

Marquis Gu tapped his fingers heavily on the table, pondering, ”If she went to Yu Yuantang, she would certainly look for you. In my opinion, it’s not certain whether she went there. Just... let’s search Yu Yuantang first.”

Qin Yuan glanced at Marquis Gu, ”If Zhenzhen went to Yu Yuantang, it would be easier to inquire. If she got lost along the way, it would be difficult.”

Marquis Gu squeezed her hand and asked, ”In your opinion?”

Qin Yuan said, ”For now, we can only inquire about yesterday’s events at Yu Yuantang. We can’t hide it from the Xu family either. If we can’t find her, we might have to alert the government.”

Upon hearing this, Sixth Master Gu seemed a bit panicked and quickly said, ”Why not search first?”

If she could be found, it wouldn’t be necessary to confront the troublesome Xu family.

Qin Yuan looked at Marquis Gu.

Marquis Gu worriedly said, ”Let it be as you say, but... given the current situation at the mansion, Sixth Sister won’t be able to handle the Xu family.”

Qin Yuan understood that Marquis Gu meant she was now in charge of managing things, and if the Xu family caused trouble over Xu Zhen, she’d have to deal with it.

It seems the Xu family is difficult to deal with.

Sixth Master Gu was desperately signaling with his eyes, but Qin Yuan ignored him and said, ”Considering the current situation at the mansion, the Xu family probably won’t dare to come here. Since the incident occurred at the Marquis Mansion, we must give the Xu family an explanation.”

Marquis Gu thought for a while and said, ”Alright, if Sixth Sister can’t show her face, let Sixth Brother handle it.”

Sixth Master Gu was left speechless, ”...”

Since Third Brother married Sister-in-Law, he seems to care less about him.

Marquis Gu looked over.

Sixth Master Gu quickly reassured, ”As Sister-in-Law said, Third Brother is right.”

Marquis Gu said to Qin Yuan, ”Then this matter is entrusted to the Madam.”

Qin Yuan was slightly startled, ”Alright.”

Sixth Master Gu quietly asked, ”Third Brother, can Sister-in-Law manage it?”

Marquis Gu’s sharp eyes flashed with pride, raising his chin, ”What do you know? Your sister-in-law’s capabilities are unmatched.”

Sixth Master Gu glanced at Qin Yuan, ”...”

Third Brother is really annoying.

Marquis Gu held Qin Yuan’s hand and quietly said, ”Don’t worry, if anything happens, your husband is here to support you. Housekeeper Han and Housekeeper Cao will follow your orders.”

Qin Yuan softly replied, ”Alright.”

Marquis Gu squinted his eyes, feeling amused that his seemingly delicate little wife actually has things under control. He chuckled, ”If they don’t follow your orders, just come to me.”

Qin Yuan looked up at him and smiled, ”Alright.”

Sixth Master Gu turned his face away, looking gloomily at the books, losing his interest in poetry.

Shortly, Marquis Gu summoned Housekeeper Cao and Housekeeper Han. The two housekeepers approached the pavilion, stood at the steps, and after paying their respects, listened to Marquis Gu’s commands, ”Xu Zhen did not return last night. It’s heard she left for Yu Yuantang early yesterday morning. Quickly send people to search, and all matters shall follow Madam’s orders.”

Housekeeper Cao was a bit surprised but soon responded, ”Understood.”

Housekeeper Han reluctantly agreed.

Regardless of the two housekeepers’ thoughts, Qin Yuan instructed, ”Immediately send someone to the Xu family to notify Miss Xu. The Sixth Madam is looking after the young miss and cannot personally go to the Xu family. Please understand.”

Housekeeper Cao quickly agreed.

Qin Yuan continued, ”Deploy twenty people from the mansion to carefully inquire at Yu Yuantang if any women went missing yesterday or if any strange events occurred. Additionally, select ten people to investigate the beggars, peddlers, and vendors near the mansion’s entrance to see if anyone saw the whereabouts of the two women. If anyone provides information, reward them with ten taels of silver. If someone finds her, reward them with a hundred taels of silver. Also, send a report to the Capital Governor Mansion.”

Housekeeper Han responded softly.

Sixth Master Gu nodded, ”Sister-in-law has thought of everything.”

Qin Yuan said, ”Such matters are usually handled this way; it’s standard practice. Sixth Brother, you’re too kind.”

Inwardly, Sixth Master Gu thought, ”Qin Family members are truly extraordinary. Just looking at Sister-in-Law, it’s evident the Xu family knows how to cause such a disgraceful affair.”

Thinking of these things, his expression inevitably looked unpleasant.

Qin Yuan comforted, ”Sixth Brother, don’t worry too much. Zhenzhen is blessed and will surely be safe.”

Sixth Master Gu lowered his eyelids and sighed, ”Ah” and then fell silent.

Qin Yuan then carefully instructed them to scent themselves before leaving and wear bibs soaked in medicinal water to prevent the spread of smallpox.

After receiving their tasks, the two housekeepers quickly went to call for people. Housekeeper Han couldn’t help but comment to Housekeeper Cao, ”Madam’s arrangements are prudent.”

Housekeeper Cao replied with a smile, ”Getting you to admit that is not easy.”

Housekeeper Han sent someone to the Capital Governor Mansion to report the case, the Magistrate asked in surprise, ”Didn’t you just come yesterday?”

”...Yes... but something new has arisen today...”

The Magistrate sighed, ”One wave hasn’t settled, another rises. Before Dingbei Marquis returned to court, there was never any trouble at the mansion.”

When he lowered his head, he saw the donated bibs and incense bags and asked curiously, ”What is this?”

”This incense bag hung at the waist can ward off disease. The bib soaked in medicinal water, worn on the face, can prevent smallpox... Also, the Marchioness wants me to report to you, those stricken with smallpox are detained in separate courtyards. The mansion has been thoroughly cleaned once, sprinkled with lime, and wiped with vinegar and wine.”

The Magistrate breathed a sigh of relief and exclaimed, ”The Marchioness’s arrangements are so well thought out. Even a dragon’s den or tiger’s lair, I would still go.”

Quite unlike his previous unwilling demeanor.

Housekeeper Cao hurriedly sent people to Yu Yuantang to search and asked each beggar, porter, and peddler at the mansion’s entrance if they had seen Xu Zhen and her little maid, daring not to make any mistakes.

After finishing, Housekeeper Cao finally took a small teapot, sat on a Taishi Chair, and leisurely drank tea. Sun Accountant saw this and asked, ”Housekeeper Cao is cautious in handling things today. Why so?”

Housekeeper Cao looked at Sun Accountant meaningfully, ”Today, I’m working for the Marchioness; how could I not be cautious?”

Sun Accountant frowned, ”The Marchioness managing the house is a temporary measure. Besides, isn’t the outer courtyard still relying on you and Housekeeper Han?”

Housekeeper Cao snorted, ”If you had any insight, you wouldn’t say that. These days the Marquis Mansion is orderly without any chaos, proving the Marchioness is indeed formidable.”