Rong Momo hesitated and said, "Didn't the Marquis say that he still needs to wait for the magistrate's news?"

Waiting for the judge's news means that the identities of these two children are still undetermined in the Ninth Branch. They will not be included in the family genealogy, and Gu Jingcheng is only helping to raise these two children.

Everything is just a stopgap measure.

Madam Gu frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "Very well, but they have stayed here with me for quite some time now..."

Rong Momo stepped forward and whispered, "Madam, please don't worry. What's the difference between an adopted son and a godson who isn't on the family register? It's just a change of residence. Can the Marquis really ignore them? The current awkward situation is only because Zhao Shi is so unreasonable. Even the current emperor punishes those who behead others, doesn't he? Originally, it was already awkward for them to remain in the mansion as masters because of Zhao Shi. The Marquis suppressed it as much as possible so that no gossips could be spread. But then they beat up Brother Qi, and even Sixth Master, who doesn't care about these things the most, is unhappy. The Marquis has no choice."

Madam Gu said, "I understand. After loving them for so long, there must be some affection left. If the Ninth Branch is willing to settle down as their adopted son and take care of him, it would be a good outcome. But what Hui-ge said just now... is there something I don't know? Otherwise, why would he say such a thing?"

Rong Mama also noticed the change in Lord Gu, and said, "Didn't the old lady say that one cannot be a good father-in-law if one is not deaf and dumb? Lord Gu is almost thirty years old. If he makes a mistake, the old lady can punish him with a beating. However, one cannot interfere in everything."

Madam Gu simply smiled.

Rong Momo chimed in, "This old servant thinks the old lady is just craving her grandson."

Madam Gu said, "Alright, I know what you mean. You just want to stop interfering too much. Fine, he's the one who brought him back, and he's the one who wanted to arrange things this way. Let him be."

Rong Momo then instructed Qiu Ju to have the maid pick flowers in the courtyard, saying, "Choose the biggest one to adorn the old lady's hair. It would be good if the old lady looked her best when meeting the guests later."

With her mind at ease, Madam Gu smiled and said, "I think Yuan'er's outfit today matches the third son quite well. Later, she should change into a bright-colored dress and dress up to make her daughter-in-law look good."

After Madam Gu finished dressing, she waited for a while before Qin Yuan sent someone to invite her out, saying that many female guests had already arrived and asking her to come out and sit down.

With Rong Momo supporting her, Qiu Ju and the others followed behind, and they escorted her out of the main room and into the hall of the inner courtyard.

Before I even entered, I could hear laughter and cheerful conversation coming from inside.

Madam Gu smiled and said, "It's been a long time since it's been this lively."

When everyone saw her come in, they all stood up with smiles and exchanged greetings. Qin Yuan greeted her with a smile and said, "It's good that Mother is here. I was so flustered because I'm so tongue-tied."

Madam Gu smiled and said, "Alright, I'll be there to back you up."

After everyone finished exchanging greetings and sat down, they laughed upon hearing this: "Does the old lady mean she's worried we'll bully your new daughter-in-law?"

Madam Gu said, "What do you mean by new or old? Our Yuan'er is not inexperienced at all in managing the household. She's like a seasoned pro. I don't know how her mother-in-law taught her. Even when the smallpox broke out in the manor this time, I didn't have to worry about it at all. She's really enjoying a life of luxury."

Madam Cui hurriedly said, "This is all thanks to the Marquis's mansion's nurturing of people. Yuan'er was clever and quick-witted when she was still a young lady, but I never imagined she would be so capable. It's clear that the old lady knows how to train people."

Madam Xu forced a smile but remained silent.

Qin Yuan smiled and stood to one side to serve.

Following her instructions, Gu Baozhu sat down at the lower end and chatted with the young girls who had come with their mothers. When she saw that it was almost time, she walked over and said, "Third Sister-in-law, I'm taking them out to enjoy the scenery."

Qin Yuan nodded and instructed, "Mo Zhu is nearby with people. If anything happens, just look for her. Also, Seventh Sister, please remember what I said before."

Gu Baozhu said, "Don't worry, sister-in-law."

Once the chattering girls left, the room became much emptier, and Qin Yuan sat down to the left of Old Madam Gu, listening to them talk.

Today's guests are all relatives and friends of the Gu family. Of course, in-laws from the Xu and Qin families are also present, as well as generals under Gu Jinghui, wives and relatives of military officers he knows well in the capital, and relatives he visits frequently.

Therefore, Qin Yuan was not worried that Gu Baozhu would be unable to handle those young girls. She only told her to keep her mouth shut and not to say anything that might upset her third brother.

Seeing that Old Madam Gu was praising and favoring Qin Yuan and the Qin family, Madam Xu couldn't help but feel resentful, but she couldn't show it outwardly, though her expression was rather unpleasant.

Qin Yuan and Madam Gu were busy entertaining the ladies who surrounded them, so they pretended not to see them.

Once most of the guests had arrived, Madam Gu invited everyone to go outside to enjoy the flowers and scenery.

Qin Yuan led them around, and some of them enjoyed admiring the flowers, some enjoyed fishing, and some played chess... Before long, they dispersed.

The old lady and several other ladies of similar age set up a table in the courtyard and chatted.

Qin Yuan led Hongye around, and people would come to report matters from time to time. When she finally had a moment to herself, Cui caught her red-handed and asked, "Why didn't you invite Scholar Lin and your sister today?"

Qin Yuan mumbled, "The Marquis is a military officer, and the people he associates with are mostly female relatives of military officers, so there's not much to say."

As soon as Cui spoke, she realized her mistake and said, "It was my oversight. It seems that no one from the Xu family came. I noticed that Madam Xu didn't have a very friendly expression either."

Qin Yuan whispered, "The two families had a falling out over Xu Zhen before, so it was inevitable."

The Xu family had recently lost their source of income from lending money at exorbitant interest rates. Xu Zhen had not been able to find a way to make money, nor had she gained any advantage from the Marquis's residence. Naturally, they were unhappy to see her making such a grand appearance.

But it was inappropriate to tell these things to Cui, so they could only say what they could.

Madam Cui sighed, "I haven't seen Wan'er for quite some time now. I thought I would see her at the Marquis's residence this time... Alas... I wonder how she is doing. She doesn't even send a message home. Her mother-in-law... How can I feel at ease?"

Qin Yuan was also helpless.

After the two had been talking for a while, an elderly lady came over and said with a smile, "I'm sorry to have disturbed your conversation. There were too many people earlier, and I didn't have a chance to chat with you ladies."

Cui smiled and glanced at Qin Yuan, who looked back blankly, not knowing whose woman this was.

"Since we'll be living next to the Marquis's residence in the future, we'll inevitably have to visit each other frequently."

The lady quickly added a sentence.

Qin Yuan then realized that the woman in front of her was the twins' future adoptive mother, Madam Dai, Gu Jingcheng's wife. She smiled and said, "So you are Brother Cheng's sister-in-law. There were too many people earlier, so we didn't have a proper conversation."

Knowing the situation, Cui took a step to the side and said, "I'll go take a look around somewhere else."

Madam Dai quickly stopped her, saying, "Madam Qin, there were too many people earlier, so I didn't have a chance to chat properly. I just saw you and your daughter talking here, so I came over to get acquainted with you. There's nothing private between us."