Because the field was completely silent, Butler Zhang did not dare to reply.

Lord Gu overheard Sun's whisper and his piercing gaze shot over. Startled, Sun shrank back and dared not utter another sound.

At this moment, Qin Yuan had already said some encouraging words, affirming everyone's hard work in the manor these past few days, and then ordered Hongye, who was standing to the side, to take the booklet and read out the evaluation of everyone.

After reading it, Hongye said loudly, "If anyone is dissatisfied, come find me after we disperse."

Next, Qin Yuan announced the rewards and punishments for everyone.

Everyone gets a share, except for a few people who can't be brought into the open.

Rewards and punishments are naturally based on evaluations, which in turn are related to the decisions of the supervisors and supervisory mothers. Each item and each rule is governed by law.

Everyone was convinced.

Watching from the side, Master Gu suddenly felt that being a steward shouldn't be too difficult.

As long as the rules are set, we can urge everyone to follow them.

It wasn't as trivial as Xu's management of time.

“Everyone has worked hard these days. Madam has asked the old lady and the Marquis and decided to give each of you an extra tael of silver as a reward for your hard work. Take it back and buy some snacks and fruits to enjoy.”

Cuiming, Hongmian, and the others helped count the silver and handed it over to the people whose names were called as they approached.

Because there were many people in the mansion, the whole process took nearly an hour and a half.

Lord Gu sat with him the entire time, showing no sign of impatience.

After receiving the money, everyone naturally vied to speak well of their master, praising him for his benevolence, compassion for the weak and young, consideration for his servants, wisdom, and competence, and so on.

Qin Yuan's lips curled slightly, and a faint smile remained on her face. She neither rejected people's closeness nor became so happy that she forgot her limits.

Sun, the accountant, watched this unfold with a heavy heart. Finally, when everyone had dispersed, he grabbed Zhang, the steward, and asked, "Is the Sixth Madam neglecting her duties? She's managed to win people over so tightly. With rewards and punishments, and the Marquis and the Sixth Master sitting and accompanying her the whole time, all these opportunists have fallen for her."

Steward Zhang said with a wry smile, "Don't you know? The Sixth Madam is seriously ill and can't even get out of bed. How can she have the energy to take care of these things? From now on, won't this mansion be the Madam's domain?"

Accountant Sun was greatly alarmed.

When did this happen?

Steward Zhang said, "After the Sixth Madam's courtyard was sealed off, she fell ill due to excessive worry. She kept putting it off until she couldn't hold on any longer and then she took medicine. Of course, you in the outer accounting office wouldn't know this."

Accountant Sun pondered the words carefully, then sighed with a hint of disappointment, "Sixth Madam is being far too cautious. Why did it come to this? It's truly a case of losing sight of the bigger picture for the sake of a small thing. Can this illness really be allowed to drag on?"

Steward Zhang nodded and sighed, "Women, they only see a small part of the world in the inner quarters, so they are bound to be a little narrow-minded and think a lot. Besides, with all the things that have happened in the manor recently, anyone would overthink things."

Accountant Sun asked anxiously, "Then what about our affairs from now on..."

Steward Zhang quickly raised his hand to stop him from saying anything more, saying, "Given the current situation, it's best to stop now. I dare not do anything more. If I get caught, the reputation that generations of my family have built up will be ruined."

Accountant Sun and Steward Zhang couldn't see eye to eye, and Sun returned to the accounting room with a heavy heart to check the accounts.

Butler Han and Butler Cao were sitting inside chatting animatedly. When they saw him arrive, they only nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Accountant Sun fumbled a few times with the abacus, then stopped and listened to their conversation.

Steward Han said, "The Marquis truly cherishes his wife. He is usually cold and aloof, but today, sitting beside her, he didn't sternly even once."

Butler Cao said, "Madam is truly capable. She has taken on the heavy responsibilities of the mansion at such a young age and is deeply loved by the old lady. Even Sixth Master, who hates these things the most, speaks highly of Madam."

Butler Han sighed and said, "You know what, Madam's maidservant, that one surnamed Shen, did a really good job this time. The poetry collection he printed for the Marquis is said to be outstanding. The old lady was very pleased to see it, and everyone in the main house received a generous reward. She even had someone take it to the ancestral hall to burn for the old Marquis, so that the old Marquis could see that Sixth Master has improved."

Steward Cao took the small teapot, took a sip, and said, "That's right, the servants around Sixth Master have also received quite a bit of reward money, and they've been showing off in the outer courtyard these past two days."

"Sixth Master has always been a worry for the Old Madam. With Madam's help in Sixth Master's progress, how could the Old Madam not be happy? This is also Madam's thoughtfulness. In the future, Sixth Master's reputation will only get better and better. It will also be more glorious for the Marquis to have a promising brother."

"Yes, I heard that Sixth Master's progress is due to his close relationship with his wife's cousin. Think about it, his wife is the daughter of the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. Daughters of civil officials are indeed different. Qiuju said that the old lady loves to listen to his wife talk the most, saying that people who are well-read speak differently."

Accountant Sun was about to lose his temper.

Butler Han added, "I usually think you flatter the madam too much. No matter how capable she is, she has only been in the household for less than a year, she is young and inexperienced, and there is the Sixth Madam in front of her. Who knew you had such discerning eyes."

Butler Cao burst into laughter.

"What insight do I have? I just respect that the lady is so young and capable. The sixteenth brother is the most capable man by the Marquis's side. Look at how he treats the lady. I just learned from the sixteenth brother."

Butler Han smiled and said, "No matter what, you've made the right choice."

Butler Cao took the small teapot, smiled, and sipped the tea contentedly.

Silence speaks louder than words.

Anyone could see how smug he was.

Accountant Sun gritted his teeth, feeling a hundred or so grievances in his heart, but he could only suppress them for the time being.

Although Steward Han and Steward Cao never mentioned him in their conversation, every word they uttered sounded like they were mocking him.

They ridiculed him for being blind and for not being able to see the situation clearly.

With a gloomy face, Accountant Sun picked up the daily accounts beside him and flipped through them haphazardly. He thought to himself that these two were praising Qin Yuan too much. Even if Qin Yuan took over the inner courtyard, could she still extend her reach to the front courtyard?

Those arrogant maids took the account book, and there's been no word from them since, clearly showing they're at their wits' end.

These days are merely a temporary measure by the Marquis.

After everything returned to normal, Lady Hou could only retreat back to her inner courtyard.

Oh!

He was lost in thought, looking rather unwell. Butler Han and Butler Cao noticed this but didn't bother with him.

...

Hongye and Hongmian stayed behind to wait for those who felt it was unfair to come and defend themselves, while Qin Yuan took Cuiming back to Wutong Garden.

Lord Gu and Sixth Master Gu returned to the study in the outer courtyard together.

He asked Sixth Master Gu, "What do you think of Physician Pang's medical skills?"

Master Gu shook his head and said, "I can't tell. Let's see how it goes after Madam Xu takes a few doses of medicine."

Gu Jinghui remained silent, lost in thought.

Sixth Master Gu asked, "Third Brother, do you feel there's something wrong with this?"

Gu Jinghui slowly said, "What if his skills are not as good as Doctor Li's?"

Without even thinking, Master Gu said, "How is that possible?"

The Imperial Medical Academy was a gathering place for outstanding medical professionals, bringing together renowned physicians from all over the world. Many of them possessed medical skills passed down through generations, with family traditions that were unmatched by ordinary people.

The head of the Imperial Physicians was also the most skilled physician in the dynasty.

Li Langzhong may be more skilled in medicine than Liu Taiyi and others, but he is certainly not more skilled than Pang Yuanzheng.