I see.

Qin Yuan gave Gu Jinghui a meaningful look.

Lin Ziqi is only a scholar who has passed the imperial examination, yet Lord Gu already has so many ideas. If Lin Ziqi were to become the prime minister like in his previous life, I wonder what Lord Gu would do.

Feeling a little uncomfortable under that gaze, Gu Jinghui asked, "Do you want to see now?"

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "We'll see."

Gu Jinghui then summoned Gu Shiliu and instructed him, "Go to the study in the outer courtyard and bring over all the letters that were thrown out of the mansion yesterday. The madam wants to see them."

Gu Shiliu agreed and left.

Gu Jinghui wanted to get entangled with Qin Yuan again.

Qin Yuan then said, "I just remembered something I need to ask the Marquis."

Lord Gu raised an eyebrow, somewhat displeased.

"Why are you calling me 'Lord Marquis' again?"

Qin Yuan didn't change her mind.

"The old woman who died before the mansion was brought from the northern frontier by the Zhao family. Could it be that she knew something and was killed to silence her?"

Lord Gu's face darkened.

Before the prefectural magistrate of the capital could investigate the matter thoroughly, smallpox broke out, and the matter was left unresolved.

Speaking of which, the old woman's death was indeed suspicious.

Although the people from Fengxuan Pavilion were a bit arrogant in the manor, they didn't make enemies with anyone.

If we're talking about hostility...

Gu Jinghui glanced at Qin Yuan.

Because of Zhao, the two old women only offended the people of Wutong Garden.

"I guess that's probably the case."

Gu Jinghui echoed Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan added, "I went with Physician Li to see several patients at Fengxuan Pavilion. They were all brought in because they had close ties with Zihe."

Gu Jinghui thought for a long time before finally remembering who Zihe was.

"Zihe is one of the two second-class maids that Mother sent to serve Zhao. Baique has already left the mansion, and it seems that Zihe left the mansion because Mother and Father are ill."

“Yes,” Qin Yuan nodded and said, “After Bai Que left the mansion, Mother summoned Zi He back, and that’s when Zhao’s illness began to linger.”

Gu Jinghui's brows furrowed as if he were thinking of something.

As the two were talking, Gu Shiliu brought in the box, and Gu Jinghui asked, "Shiliu, do you know Zihe?"

Gu Shiliu was taken aback for a moment, then said, "I know."

Gu Jinghui asked, "What is her relationship with the Zhao family?"

"Is that even a question? It's obvious they don't get along," Gu Shiliu said casually.

Why?

Gu Shiliu said mysteriously, "I didn't realize it before. She looks gentle and weak, but she's very wicked. I don't know what the Sixth Madam said to offend her, but she sent two old women to throw away something dirty, making the two young ladies sick. Luckily, it was discovered early, and the Madam was there to keep things under control, otherwise the mansion would have been in chaos. Zihe was also infected, which shows that Zhao Shi really dislikes her."

Gu Jinghui nodded and said, "You're absolutely right."

Gu Shiliu then asked Qin Yuan, "Madam, where should we put this box?"

Qin Yuan asked, "Is this whole box full of them?"

Gu Shiliu nodded and said, "Yes, that's right. The Marquis said too much. The Madam has been too busy these days and there's no rush, so she didn't bring it."

Qin Yuan smiled. Regardless of Gu Jinghui's true intentions, Gu Shiliu was always the one who spoke tactfully.

"Then just put it on the table, I'll look for it later."

Gu Shiliu: "Okay."

He then placed the box on the table.

Gu Jinghui then asked, "So, does that mean that the two maids Mother sent, Bai Que and Zhao Shi, became a group, and Zi He was ostracized?"

"Your Excellency is wise," Gu Shiliu said with a smile. "I heard that Zihe's parents are not seriously ill, but Zihe insisted on going back to take care of them. The old lady even rewarded her with ginseng. There's something interesting about that."

Gu Jinghui nodded.

It seems that after my mother took over the Zhao family business and chased away Bai Que, she was afraid of alerting the Zhao family and offending them, so she called Zi He back.

Unexpectedly, Zhao tricked this maid again before leaving.

Qin Yuan suddenly asked, "If Zihe recovers from her illness, where should she go?"

Fengxuan Pavilion no longer has a master. After Zihe recovered from her illness, no one knows where she went.

Gu Jinghui was taken aback, not expecting Qin Yuan to ask such a question.

Gu Shiliu laughed and said, "Could it be that Madam has taken a fancy to Zihe? She has recovered from her illness and may return to the main room to serve. She was originally a second-class maid trained by the old lady."

Qin Yuan nodded.

“This maid is clever, she just happened to meet Zhao Shi. If she is willing, there are still many vacancies in my Wutong Courtyard. Since Mother can send her to serve Zhao Shi, I suppose she doesn’t need another maid by her side. If I ask, Mother will not hesitate to let me go.”

Gu Jinghui said, "Let's wait until she's fully recovered. There's no rush. I need to interrogate her first."

Qin Yuan nodded.

Indeed, there's no rush to make it happen in just a few days.

She was simply listening to Zihe's behavior and it reminded her of her past life.

Comparing the two lives, I feel that Zihe was intelligent and shrewd.

In her past life, Zihe must have survived under the Zhao family.

In this lifetime, he finally survived until the Zhao family's secret was exposed.

The women in the inner quarters never imagined that Zhao was so vicious, and that's how they were tricked.

Gu Jinghui suddenly remembered someone.

"You didn't fancy that girl Xiao Hong?"

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Let Mother help me train them first. The girls that Mother and Granny Rong have trained are all very clever."

Gu Jinghui wrinkled his nose but didn't say anything.

Wasn't Bai Que trained by her mother and Rong Momo?

Gu Shiliu laughed and said, "If Xiao Hong can get into Wutong Garden, she'll definitely get together with Hongye. The two of them will be so happy. I've seen it several times, with Hongye whispering to Xiao Hong."

Gu Jinghui glanced at Qin Yuan but didn't say anything.

Qin Yuan spoke frankly: "I asked Xiao Hong to help me look after Cheng Ge'er and Yu Jie'er. They are about the same age, and Xiao Hong is very sensible. She can talk to them and explain things to them. Recently, a lot has happened in the mansion, and it is inevitable that some people will say something. I am worried that they are young and might be provoked into resentment."

Gu Shiliu praised, "Madam is so capable. No wonder the Marquis always says that Madam is his virtuous wife. Sixth Master even said that the Marquis is deliberately trying to annoy him."

As for why it was said that he was deliberately provoked, it was of course because of the Sixth Madam.

Qin Yuan smiled gently, walked to the table, sat down, and began to sort through the letters.

Gu Jinghui said, "Your flattery is nothing; the madam won't reward you with any money."

Gu Shiliu smiled sheepishly and scratched his head.

"This is not flattery; it is simply what I think in my heart, speaking the truth. Isn't that what you've been saying, my lord?"

Lord Gu was overjoyed.

Gu Shiliu was indeed the one who won his heart the most.

When the time is right, reward him with silver.

Seeing his master's expression, Gu Shiliu knew he was right and felt a little smug.

Gu Jinghui said, "Once I've settled Cheng-ge'er and Yu-jie'er, you should take Xiao-hong with you. That little girl always tries her best to please me whenever she sees me, hoping I'll say a few good words for her and get her to come with me."