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

Chapter 108: Chapter 108: Never Able to Move On

Under the starlight, Marquis Gu, dressed in military attire, appeared like a deity, with an expression of pleasure.

Gu Shiba paused and then said, ”Sixth Madam is arranging to invite her niece to stay in the mansion. That Nanny Zhao beside her secretly said she wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Qin family, hoping to benefit from proximity and meet with the lady’s cousin.”

Gu Jinghui remained silent.

The lady’s cousin, whom he had seen at the return banquet, possessed the good looks typical of the Qins, tall in stature, reportedly skilled enough to be an Advanced Scholar, highly regarded by the father-in-law. The lady had also mentioned that he entered the Imperial College after succeeding as a scholar candidate.

How could such a man possibly fancy the broken-down Sixth Madam’s niece?

It was nothing more than wishful thinking.

Sixth Elder, having drunk too much that night, also mentioned this, laughing that Sixth Madam would love nothing more than to bounce abacus beads onto her face. Could the Xu family possibly produce such an extraordinary person untainted by mud? Though still unseen, even Lin Ziqi had spoken about him, known to be talented, set to participate in the Advanced Scholar exam next year.

”Sixth Madam also ordered the dowry shop to buy up all the pepper from the Persian merchant. Previously, the shopkeeper of the lady’s dowry shop had also inquired about the price, but the Persian merchant refused to sell at that time.”

Gu Jinghui raised an eyebrow and said, ”Let her do as she wishes.”

”Anything else?”

Gu Shiba racked his brains and having nothing more to say asked Gu Jinghui, ”When will the Marquis return?”

Gu Jinghui perked up immediately and asked, ”Why? Has the lady been talking about me?”

After thinking about it, Gu Shiba nodded.

Gu Jinghui formed his hand into a loose fist and pressed it against his lips, retracting his solid long legs, hiding his smile as he said, ”This isn’t up to me. As long as the Seventh Princess and Ninth Princess continue their prayers here, I’m obligated to stay with them.”

Gu Shiba curiously asked, ”Why doesn’t the Marquis join them in prayer?”

Gu Jinghui lowered his fist and snorted coldly, ”I’m afraid even Buddha would reproach my killing aura. If praying were truly effective, why would so many from the Gu family have died?”

He could never forget his experiences, perilous and near-death, at the Northern Border Pass.

Only by laying down arms can one achieve Buddhahood.

Yet in this life, he would never lay down his sword.

He was thrown into military camps as a child, joining in the fighting drills, watching his uncles and comrades, mighty as mountains. Everyone said with Dingbei Marquis guarding the pass, it was solid as a fortress; the Third Young Master trained in the camps not to forget Gu Family’s roots, never expecting to replace the elders guarding the pass.

But a sudden turn of events left only his branch of the Gu Family.

The resentment accumulated amid piles of bodies and seas of blood would haunt him forever.

Forever haunted!

Gu Jinghui’s sharp eyes were filled with coldness.

Prayers were nothing but a banal act by those bathed in luxury in the Capital City. Today, he observed, both Seventh Princess and Ninth Princess harbored their own thoughts, lacking true sincerity even before Buddha.

He couldn’t fathom why they staged this, forcing him to accompany them.

Unable to understand, Gu Jinghui cautiously avoided closeness with these two princesses, leaving any appearances to the palace eunuchs.

He was committed to daily inspections, roaming around, never idle.

The Xiangshan night, though summer, chilled slightly. Gu Shiba, rushing over, broke into a sweat, then settled down, sneezing a few times.

”Alright, hurry back. Be alert everywhere, don’t let anything disrupt and unsettle the lady.”

On the moonlit return path, Gu Shiba pondered the phrase ”don’t let anything disrupt,” truly puzzled as to who might be ignorant enough to cause distress to the lady.

In recent days, Qin Yuan indulged in leisure, with no major issues at the mansion. The housekeeper mammies had learned from Mrs. Lu’s example, none daring to act rashly.

Mrs. Lu initially struggled, but after several consolations from Cui Ming, she conceded obediently.

Mrs. Li was keenly proactive, striving to solidify her position, proposing numerous new methods, tidying up new accounts meticulously, clearly, and efficiently, saving materials and considerably increasing embroidery output.

The other housekeeper mammies observed this, realizing they dared not underestimate her youth and tenderness, refraining from any deceit.

With renewed confidence, Cui Ming joyfully declared, ”If any housekeeper mammies stir up trouble in the future, we will arrange them just like this.”

Hong Ye also took note.

Qin Yuan replied, ”It shall be done.”

Two shopkeepers had entrusted Shen Changle with new accounts, this time dared not tamper with them.

Qin Yuan discerned that the accompanying dowry shops were small, positioned remotely, and even with honest management, annual profits remained limited. Yet the Capital’s pricey land coupled with the West Market location made them high value.

Regarding Manager Qian, Qin Yuan didn’t elaborate, simply letting Shen Changle deliver the person and accounts to Mrs. Cui at the Qin Mansion for further handling.

The person belonged to Mrs. Cui, as did previous accounts.

Since her takeover, the shop hardly sold anything, making matters simple.

Shen Changle, noticing Qin Yuan truly had no intent of using Manager Qian, worked even harder, immersing himself daily in the West Market, contemplating how to assume the role of Manager Shen.

Cui Ming managed the sewing room vibrantly, attracting many to gather around Hong Ye, who actively sourced news befitting a lady of high skill and talent. Shortly after joining the mansion, she won the favor of the Old Madam and the Marquis, prompting many to offer information in good faith.

Punished by Sixth Madam and relegated to the second entrance were a few nannies, deeply resentful of Sixth Madam, pouring their tales to Hong Ye without reservation.

Before Xu Zhen even moved into the mansion, rumors of Sixth Madam targeting Qin Siyuan reached Qin Yuan.

Hong Ye shook her head and remarked, ”Sixth Madam is indeed adept at scheming.”

Cui Ming nodded in agreement.

The cousin’s fair looks and intellect would elevate his status upon qualifying as an Advanced Scholar; only those within knew he was poised to succeed harmoniously. Sixth Madam’s timing in strategizing was indeed favorable.

Qin Yuan remained silent.

Two days later, Qin Yuan went to pay respects at the East Wing and noticed a slender figure with an oval face wearing a goose-yellow Liuxian Skirt beside Sixth Madam.

Qin Yuan understood it was Sixth Madam’s niece, Xu Zhen.

Appearing far steadier than Gu Baoshu, with a pair of moist almond eyes, she smiled before speaking.

”Quickly greet her, this is the Marchioness,” urged Sixth Madam. Xu Zhen promptly rose, performed a junior’s courtesy, and said: ”Good day, Marchioness.”

Her voice was as crisp as a yellow warbler.

Her appearance was quite pleasing.

Laughing, Qin Yuan took a pocket from Cui Ming and handed it over, saying, ”I’d known of your visit and prepared this meeting gift earlier. You’re Sixth Sister-in-law’s niece, which makes you my niece too. Feel free to visit Wutong Garden and chat with me whenever you wish.”

By the time Old Madam Gu arrived, they had finished exchanging pleasantries and small talk.

Old Madam Gu inquired of Xu Zhen, ”What have you learned during these days at home? I’ve confined Treasure Bead at home to study embroidery. Assist your aunt in watching over her; peers are more relatable and effective than us watching.”

Smiling, Xu Zhen replied, ”Merely managing household matters, though I’d prefer to read more books like the Marchioness.”

”Reading more books is beneficial,” Old Madam Gu observed.

That afternoon, Qin Yuan took her nap and soon learned Miss Xu had come to visit.