Qin Yuan laughed.

Gu Jinghui didn't know what she was laughing at, so he laughed along with her.

Qin Yuan said, "Lord Marquis has been my study companion for several years. You should have no difficulty dealing with my father. Why do you still read the Spring and Autumn Annals so slowly? Didn't you read it when you were young?"

Gu Jinghui sighed, "I started practicing martial arts when I was four years old. I didn't like studying. When I was selected to be the Crown Prince's companion, I cried for a long time. After entering the palace, the Emperor said not to restrict me too much. I am from the Marquis of Dingbei's family. As long as I can read and write, that's enough. So the tutors didn't pay much attention to me. But my father-in-law has very high expectations of me. I never thought that I would have to study again when I'm almost thirty."

Everyone couldn't help but laugh at what Lord Gu said.

After a while, Qin Yuan asked again, "The former Crown Prince? Was he born to the same mother as the Prince of Qi?"

Lord Gu said solemnly, "Yes, the first Crown Prince came after the current one."

There are many things that are hard to say.

Qin Yuan didn't ask any more questions, and instructed the maids to quickly set out the meal. The dinner was light and simple, with only two meat dishes prepared for Lord Gu.

After Hongye Cuiming and the others left.

Lord Gu said, “You are young and do not know about the late Crown Prince. These things are no longer talked about, and even the royal family is somewhat reluctant to discuss them.”

Qin Yuan then asked, "Since the late Crown Prince had an accident, why wasn't Prince Qi made Crown Prince?"

Lord Gu sullenly picked up a piece of braised beef and stuffed it into his mouth. After a long while, he said, "Isn't this all because of Empress Lin? If the late Empress hadn't passed away, the late Crown Prince wouldn't have ended up like this..."

Qin Yuan then understood that with a stepmother comes a stepfather. With the late empress gone, the late crown prince's position was no longer secure, and the Prince of Qi had even less hope.

When the topic turned to the late Crown Prince, Lord Gu became sullen and didn't say much after that.

He didn't stay long after the meal and said, "I'm going to the front yard to listen to storytelling."

Having said that, he turned and left.

Qin Yuan called Hongye in and asked, "What kind of person is Mr. Songshan?"

Hongye said, "The middle-aged man was of medium build, rather thin, and his face was not very fleshy. He looked somewhat like a crane kept by the pond at home. He spoke very politely and with great manners, and his Mandarin had a slight southern accent."

Qin Yuan wasn't sure at first.

When she said it looked like a crane, Qin Yuan knew it was true and exclaimed in surprise, "I didn't expect the Marquis to be so good at judging people. How could someone like this be picked up? What can I say about such luck?"

Hongye asked, "What? Is this person someone with great talent?"

Qin Yuan nodded with a smile.

She secretly made up her mind to try and get closer to this Mr. Songshan to learn from him, and it would be good if she could make Qin Siyuan and Master Gu more familiar with her.

Cui Ming, observing the expressions, had already understood a bit of what was going on, and said, "If Mr. Songshan is talented, I'm afraid his tastes are somewhat similar to ours. Besides, everyone has some quirks; some love to eat, some love to paint, and some love to drink... Wealth, power, wine, women, fame—one has to have a good one of them."

Qin Yuan frowned and said, "Let's not act rashly for now. Just treat him like an honored guest. Inquire about his preferences in private. After all, I am a woman and it's not appropriate for me to visit him too much. We can discuss this when my cousin Siyuan arrives."

Now that Mr. Songshan has entered the Marquis's residence, he cannot be let go easily.

After everyone had talked for a while, Qin Yuan said, "Let's discuss how to arrange the guests at the manor this time."

This is the first banquet hosted by Qin Yuan in charge of the family, so she can't afford to embarrass herself.

Qin Yuan first outlined the general plan, which Hongye and Cuiming both approved.

Hongye said, "Miss doesn't look like a novice at all; she seems to have handled countless events before."

Cui Ming said, "Indeed, Miss truly lives up to the saying—a noble person is born with knowledge, Miss is a born noble person."

"That's right, otherwise why would our young lady have married the Marquis?"

Speaking of this, Hongye has a hundred things to say.

Qin Yuan quickly interrupted, saying, "This is just a minor issue. Every banquet is like this. You'll understand after watching a few. Even if you haven't eaten pork, you've still seen pigs run, right? As for the Marquis's residence, we'll have to carefully consider it."

Hongye said, "You can find out by checking the old rules of the Marquis's mansion. Fortunately, I was careful when I checked the accounts back then, and I have written them down."

Cuiming nodded, looking at Hongye with admiration.

Qin Yuan said, "Then you and Cui Ming sort it out, and tomorrow the stewards and stewardesses will fill in the blanks. Just do it that way."

Cui Ming was quite emotional.

"Sharpening the axe won't delay the work of chopping wood, that's the principle. Once the accounts are clear, no one can fool us."

They were having a lively discussion inside.

A maidservant announced from outside, "Xiao Hong has arrived."

"Let her in quickly," Qin Yuan hurriedly ordered.

As soon as Xiao Hong entered, she said, "Madam, the old lady wants to talk to you."

Qin Yuan stood up and asked, "What's the matter so late?"

Xiao Hong said, "The old lady wants to find suitable foster parents for Cheng Ge'er and Yu Jie'er. Since I am here to serve her, she asked me to invite the lady over to discuss it."

Hongye laughed and said, "I was wondering why you, a rare guest, had come."

Little Red has a flat mouth.

"It's obvious that my sister is ignoring me, and she blames me for not coming often. I heard that my sister is now teaching a few young ladies how to manage accounts, but she hasn't thought of me at all."

Hongye laughed and said, "It's because you're not here. Distant water can't quench immediate thirst. There are many things in Wutong Garden that can't wait for you."

Little Red pouted and rolled her eyes at Red Leaf.

Red leaves stamped their feet.

"You can't pick on the weak. If you want to come to Wutong Garden, you need our lady's approval first."

Her eyes welled up with tears.

Qin Yuan quickly reassured her, "I've been wanting you to come, but Brother Cheng and Sister Yu can't do without you right now. I've already got my eye on you and Zihe, and I really want the two of you to come over. We'll talk about it after they're settled."

Little Red's eyes were still red, but a smile was already on her face.

"As long as Madam says so, Xiao Hong can wait."

While Qin Yuan changed her clothes, Xiao Hong sat on a small stool and waited, praising Qin Yuan's beautiful clothes and hair accessories while taking the time to talk about Granny Yang.

"The two of them met a few more times. Sister Yu didn't really take charge; she only listened to Brother Cheng."

Qin Yuan asked, "Has Brother Cheng learned of the manor's plans?"

"knew."

"Has he thought it through, or is he planning to continue making trouble?"

"Maybe he's thought it through."

Qin Yuan then had an idea.

"You and Zihe go over there and keep an eye on that old woman Yang. If things go as expected, she will be taken away too. If anything happens, come back and tell her."

Hongye was somewhat surprised, but quickly covered it up.

Little Red blinked her eyes and obediently agreed.

Qin Yuan changed her clothes and led them to the main room. Lord Gu and Sixth Master Gu had already arrived, as had the twins.

Upon seeing her arrive, Old Madam Gu smiled and said, "My child, you've come at the perfect time. We're currently selecting a husband for the two siblings. Several branches of the Gu family have no children, and they are of the same generation as Hui-ge'er. They are all of excellent character and reputation, and they are willing to move here to live next to the mansion."