"Husband, this..."

Since she met Lord Gu, Qin Yuan had never seen him look like this.

"Hurry up and take your niece back. She's weak. My sixth brother and I will stay here to look after her. You can't be of much help here."

Lord Gu lowered his head, awkwardly interrupting Qin Yuan, his hands clenched tightly behind his back, barely suppressing the trembling that gripped him.

The more his young wife cared, the more heartbroken he became.

The secret he couldn't utter weighed heavily on him, making it harder for him to breathe.

If he met her light and gentle eyes, Gu Jinghui was afraid that he would burst into tears.

Qin Yuan paused for a moment before saying, "Then I'll take Lan-jie back first. Don't work too hard, and don't keep anything to yourself."

Lord Gu squeezed out a "hmm" from his throat.

He stood there for a long time before turning his head and greedily looking at his young wife's back.

Her graceful figure, like a willow swaying in the breeze, slowly brought tears to Lord Gu's eyes.

After carrying Lan'er for a while, Qin Yuan felt a little tired. However, the three maids beside her had been left to help Master Gu. The maids were fine for running errands, but they probably couldn't carry Lan'er for very long. And if they kept switching, they would inevitably wake the child.

Just as she was in a dilemma, several old women carrying soft bags caught up with her, their faces full of smiles, "Madam, Madam, the Marquis has instructed us to come over, saying that if you carry Lan-jie to the main room, you may not be able to walk very far."

Qin Yuan's anger, which had been building up for the past two days, dissipated instantly. She smiled and said, "I was feeling a bit tired, so you've come at just the right time."

The old woman smiled and said, "It's all because the Marquis is so considerate of his wife."

Qin Yuan carried Lan Jie'er onto the soft sling, breathed a sigh of relief, and said, "Let's go to the main room."

The old women hurriedly helped her up and headed straight for the main room. Qiuju, who had been left to guard the room, came up to greet her and asked, "Is the old lady planning to raise the young lady in the main room?"

Qin Yuan nodded.

Qiuju took Lanjie from her. Seeing how thin and frail she was, like a kitten, she sighed and said, "Lanjie's health had just improved a little, but she has become even thinner because she was worried about Madam Liu's illness. She looks so pitiful."

Qin Yuan said, "She needs to be well cared for. The incense pills I sent last time, light half of them so she can get a good night's sleep."

Qiuju entered the inner room, placed Lan'er on the small couch, and smiled at Qin Yuan, who had followed her down from the sedan chair: "Madam, I will settle her here for now, and we will decide when the old lady returns. She will probably rest with the old lady. The two young masters are resting in the Bisha Pavilion now, close to the old lady, so it will be easier to take care of them."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "You've made excellent arrangements, so I'll do as you say."

Qiuju took the bed gauze quilt and covered Lanjie with it before getting up to go to the side room to get the incense pills that Qin Yuan had sent. She broke off half of one, put it in the incense burner, shoveled away the previous incense ash, and put the lid on.

As wisps of smoke rose, Lan Jie'er's breathing became much more even and long.

Qin Yuan and Qiu Ju then came out.

Qin Yuan said, "I have to go out and give some instructions. I'll leave Lan Jie'er in your care. I'm afraid Kang Ge'er and Fu Ge'er won't be able to sleep well tonight, so just light some for them."

Qiuju agreed to all of them, and Qin Yuan then left the main room and instructed someone to invite Steward Cao.

A letter arrived shortly afterward, saying that Steward Cao was with the Magistrate in the Sixth Madam's courtyard.

Qin Yuan was taken aback.

"Did the magistrate go to the Sixth Madam's courtyard?"

The maid who had returned with the news nodded and said, "That's right. They said that Sixth Master sued the Xu family. The Xu family, in order to embezzle Sixth Madam's money, forced Sixth Madam's condition to worsen. Now she has been driven to death. They have invited the magistrate to come and examine her."

Qin Yuan sighed.

Don't be fooled by Sixth Master Gu's usual gentle and indifferent nature; when he gets ruthless, he shows no mercy and is determined to keep his eyes on the Xu family.

I'm afraid the Xu family won't let this go easily.

Qin Yuan instructed the maid, "Go and find Manager Qian."

Manager Qian had been assisting Steward Zhang. Qin Yuan had used him a few times and found him to be quite capable. Since Steward Han had also recommended him, Qin Yuan decided to use him to replace Steward Zhang.

"What are your instructions, Madam?"

Manager Qian arrived quickly, sweating and slightly out of breath.

Qin Yuan considered carefully and said, "Steward Qian has assisted Steward Zhang in managing matters related to the inner courtyard for many years. This time, you will temporarily take charge of the inner courtyard's stewards in handling the Sixth Madam's funeral. You will be richly rewarded for doing a good job in the funeral of the Sixth Madam."

Manager Qian's eyes lit up, and he immediately gave his assurance, saying, "Madam, rest assured, this old servant has been working for Steward Zhang for many years and will definitely be able to handle it properly."

Although it's called "temporary," as long as he manages it well and doesn't make mistakes, the word "temporary" will eventually be removed.

Qin Yuan said, "In that case, that would be perfect. I'm young, so I'll have to trouble you a lot."

Manager Qian returned in high spirits and said to Steward Han, "Madam has indeed allowed me to temporarily take over Steward Zhang's duties. Thank you for mentioning it to Madam."

Butler Han chuckled, “Madam has only been at the Marquis’s residence for a short time, and apart from Shen Changle, none of her personal servants are very capable. Naturally, she will have to choose from among us. Besides, Madam is not the kind of person who would try to embezzle from the Marquis’s residence to enrich herself. As long as we do our jobs properly and are competent, Madam will naturally use us. This is your chance. Don’t be like Old Zhang, who ended up with nothing.”

Manager Qian repeatedly agreed.

"Old Zhang was blinded by money. If he had worked hard in the Marquis's mansion, he would have accumulated a lot of wealth and respect over generations. Now he has lost everything. Those of us who worked with him feel a mix of emotions. The lady does not appoint people based on nepotism, but only on their talents. It is truly my good fortune. I will have to rely on the guidance of my two elder brothers in the future."

Steward Qian's words struck a chord with Steward Han, who replied, "I used to think that Madam was too young, but as the old saying goes, talent is not limited by age; without talent, one lives a hundred years in vain. In just a few months, the affairs of the entire household have been entrusted to Madam. Every single matter is handled by her."

As he spoke, Butler Han gave a thumbs up.

“I used to say that Lao Cao was cunning, but now I see that Lao Cao knows how to judge people. Accountant Sun is arrogant because he thinks his accounts are watertight. But look where he is. We are following such a capable leader and helping him to consolidate his power. Wouldn't good days be a steady stream in the future?”

Upon hearing this, Manager Qian gave Steward Han a thumbs up and said, "Brother, you're right. Let's hurry up and notify everyone, especially the Xu family..."

Butler Han said, "Of course we should also inform the Xu family, otherwise we'll lose in terms of etiquette. Since Madam didn't mention the Xu family specifically, let's not speculate."

"...Okay...Will the Xu family cause trouble?"

Butler Han didn't take it seriously: "They've already caused trouble twice because of Miss Xu. This time it's because of the lawsuit, they have to cause trouble again. Otherwise, how can they shift the blame onto our Marquis's mansion?"