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

Chapter 651: Chapter 651: What About the Elder?

Mr. Songshan said, ”The storerooms in the mansion are all guarded; compared to treasures, the seals and ledgers of the Marquis Mansion are even more important. Fortunately, the Marquis never brings documents home...”

Qin Yuan nodded, ”We aren’t afraid of losing anything, only of things being added. We can only increase vigilance in the mansion and be wary of the threat of fire.”

Thieves are agile; if they sneak into the mansion and plant something for sabotage, it would be troublesome.

Besides, today in the Capital City, every household is lighting colorful lanterns competing for beauty; if a fire breaks out in the mansion, it would be unlucky under the Royal Family’s watch.

Murders, arson, and framing are what bandits excel at.

Mr. Songshan realized, ”Madam’s point is valid; I didn’t think deeply enough. These days, we have arranged for beggars and porters to keep an eye on them near Feiyun Pavilion, but they dare not come too close. Even the people from the Five Cities Military Department can only gather fragmented information from the inns where they lodge and drink.”

Qin Yuan said calmly, ”No matter, even if we can’t uncover their plans, it’s okay; just proceed as we discussed yesterday. As the art of war states: ’Establish oneself as invincible first.’

Now that we’ve secured our position, we can discuss achieving merit.

As for manpower... the clan leader has gathered the skilled men from the family, and I’ll leave them to you and Shi Ba to allocate.”

”Perfect timing, I indeed need manpower,” before Mr. Songshan finished speaking, a young maid reported from outside, ”Madam, Wan Accountant has brought several people outside seeking an audience.”

Qin Yuan curiously said, ”Why has he come? Please invite him in.”

Soon after, Wan Accountant arrived, perhaps due to the festive season, wearing a new blue autumn robe, its collar embroidered with continuous ’wan’ character motifs indicating good fortune. His complexion had improved significantly, and he spoke with more vigor.

Evidently, Doctor Li’s treatments have been effective, Qin Yuan noted inwardly with approval.

After exchanging pleasantries, Qin Yuan asked, ”What brings Wan Accountant here?”

Wan Accountant smiled, ”Madam, rest assured, it isn’t a financial matter. I heard from Housekeeper Han that there is a recent need for personnel to be on duty to prevent fire hazards, so I asked some acquainted veterans. They haven’t had much to do lately and are idle at home, so they volunteered to patrol the Marquis Mansion at night. Is that acceptable?”

Qin Yuan was delighted, ”How many people do you have?”

Wan Accountant replied with a smile, ”There are dozens, and if Madam requires more, they can return and gather up to a hundred.”

Qin Yuan said to Mr. Songshan, ”Tonight, the city gates are wide open and the night curfew lifted; we can strengthen patrols around the Marquis Mansion, and also arrange our men by the Yongding River. Tonight until tomorrow, is the prime time for bandits to stir up trouble. With our personnel and those from the Five Cities Military Department keeping watch, what is there to worry about?”

Mr. Songshan also expressed joy, ”Thank you, Wan Accountant, for your efforts; now everything is prepared, just waiting for them to fall into the net.”

Qin Yuan reminded, ”Mr. Songshan, don’t forget you have a major role to play tonight.”

Mr. Songshan laughed, ”I dare not forget, but I wonder how Madam’s preparations are coming along?”

Qin Yuan smiled and didn’t answer but clapped her hands, and Cui Ming came out holding a tray, placing it on the table beside Mr. Songshan.

On the tray was arranged a black scholar’s robe along with a sachet, fan cover, cloth boots, and other items.

”These are new clothes rushed out under Cui Ming’s supervision in the sewing room, please do accept them. How about appearing tonight in this outfit?”

Mr. Songshan laughed heartily, ”Madam truly is meticulous, having even prepared this.”

Qin Yuan said with a smile, ”Tonight I shall have a glimpse of your splendor, sir.”

Mr. Songshan chuckled while gesturing towards Qin Yuan, then gathered the garments and, together with Wan Accountant, took his leave.

Checking the hour, Qin Yuan began to groom and dress to enter the palace.

She applied some yellow powder to her face in the mirror, dimming her complexion, then donned her court dress and the antique headpieces chosen by Marquis Gu, skillfully hiding her striking beauty.

”Miss’s skill is truly impressive,” Hong Ye couldn’t help but praise from the side.

Cui Ming sighed, ”Both King Jin and the You Family suffered losses; Miss must be very careful.”

Qin Yuan nodded and advised, ”You all watch over the household well. The outside tonight might not be peaceful, if going to admire the lanterns, ensure protection is in place, and best return early to eat the feast by Hong Mian, but don’t make too much fuss either.”

Hong Ye nodded, ”Rest assured Miss, we understand.”

Cui Ming also said, ”Everything at Hong Mian’s end is arranged, plus Old Lady Qi and others will be watching, even if we have the feast, it won’t delay matters.”

Qin Yuan, accompanied by Yang’er and Hehua, headed to the main room, where Nanny Rong, upon seeing her attire, remarked, ”Where did you find such a complex and elaborate headpiece? It’s been years since I’ve seen anyone wear it.”

Qin Yuan laughed, ”All found in the Marquis’s storeroom; he said this is the most opulent.”

Nanny Rong and Old Madam Gu couldn’t help but laugh heartily.

Old Madam Gu’s lips curled in a smile, ”That’s fine, at the palace banquet with many people, it’s important to mind the etiquette, not to eat too much, and with drinking, be even more cautious. We shouldn’t stand out, let’s peacefully wish the Empress Dowager a happy birthday and return.”

Qin Yuan nodded.

Qiujie and others came in and set a table of dishes, Qin Yuan and Old Madam Gu ate some, rinsed their mouths, and digested, only then boarded the carriage to the palace, moving along in a long line towards the palace gates.

As the little palace maid welcomed them, she led them to Cining Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

Old Madam Gu noticed Qin Yuan was not the least bit nervous, silently commending her in her heart.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair arrived at Cining Palace’s entrance and stood for a while before the Chief Palace Maid came out to say the Empress Dowager was somewhat inconvenienced, inviting them instead to join the other ladies in the Imperial Garden for the chrysanthemum viewing.

Old Madam Gu didn’t particularly wish to meet anyway, so upon hearing this, she performed a grand salute with Qin Yuan outside the palace gates and then directly headed for the Imperial Garden.

After the Chief Palace Maid returned to the palace, the Empress Dowager asked, ”Did those two look displeased?”

Several First-Grade Ladies sat around her, each adorned according to their rank, all with smiling expressions looking towards the Chief Palace Maid.

Everyone knew that the Dingbei Marquis Mansion had offended the Crown Prince, King Jin, and Duke Zhen’s Mansion; today, beyond just the Empress Dowager not showing them a kind face, even the Empress might not be courteous.

The Chief Palace Maid hesitated, ”The servant saw they didn’t seem afraid, the Dingbei Marquis’s wife even said...”

”Said what?” The Empress Dowager was already a bit displeased.

”...that perhaps they were late, considering the Empress Dowager has been meeting many ladies today, she might be tired, and they would properly wish her a happy birthday at the palace banquet later.”

”Heh,” the ladies displayed mocking smiles.

”The younger may not understand, but the elder?” The Empress Dowager questioned.

The Chief Palace Maid replied, ”The old madam from the Dingbei Marquis Mansion looked serious, and seemed... whatever the Marquis’s wife said, the old madam seemed to agree...”

The Empress Dowager wasn’t too angry with the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair, but instead felt herself getting annoyed.

From a distance, Madam You asked sharply, ”Was it just the two of them? How dare Gu Baoshu not come to wish the Empress Dowager a happy birthday?”

It was clear to everyone these days that the person Madam You resented the most was naturally Gu Baoshu.

The group exchanged knowing glances, their lips curling into a few tacit smiles.

The Chief Palace Maid said, ”Only the old madam and madam from the Dingbei Marquis Mansion came, the Seventh Miss was not seen.”