Qin Wan was a little embarrassed, but fortunately Xu Tang changed the subject and asked them if they wanted to go watch Cuju (ancient Chinese football) together.

"Playing football on days like this is so comfortable. The autumn air is crisp and refreshing, and we don't sweat much. Running and jumping around with my friends, all our worries disappear. Just watching from the sidelines is also very enjoyable. My sister knows some martial arts, and we often play football together at home. I wonder if the Grand Master's family plays this?"

Qin Heng really wanted to go and see.

Qin Wan didn't really want to go back and face the Lin family, so for some reason she said, "We usually do it, but not often, so let's go together."

...

With Xu's coffin moved to another location for temporary burial, Qin Yuan no longer needed to keep company with guests at the mourning hall every day, which immediately made her feel much more relaxed.

After finishing his daily affairs, he went to visit Gu Baozhu.

Gu Baozhu, who had been lying weakly on the couch, perked up considerably upon seeing her and smiled, saying, "Third Sister-in-law, you're so kind to come see me? It's nothing really."

Qin Yuan laughed and said, "Then why were you looking so sickly just now?"

"I thought Mother was going to send someone to see me. Wouldn't Mother be angry if she saw me looking so energetic? Seeing me so listless, Mother gradually stopped being angry."

Gu Baozhu's words were almost identical to what Gu Jinghui had said when he was beaten.

It seems the Gu family all have their own reasons.

Qin Yuan held back her laughter for a long time.

Gu Baozhu talked to Qin Yuan for a long time and made a promise to play polo together in the future.

Qin Yuan said, "You're really good at polo. Have you been practicing since you were little?"

She used to think she was pretty good at polo, but after seeing Gu Baozhu play polo that day, she realized she was inferior. She thought that in her previous life, everyone respected her status and always gave way to her.

It's a real shame I never played polo with my sister-in-law in my past life.

Gu Baozhu said casually, "I've been riding horses since I was little, but I learned polo a little later. My third brother is in the northern frontier most of the year, and my sixth brother doesn't associate with the children of military families much. I was young, and I didn't make many friends when I grew up. I saw that everyone liked to play polo, so I wanted to learn it so we could play together. You learn it by playing often, it's very easy to learn. Don't worry, Third Sister-in-law, you can play with me. Actually, we're not in such danger every day."

Qin Yuan suddenly felt a little sorry for the little girl, smiled and stroked her forehead, saying, "Okay, from now on, Third Sister-in-law will play ball with you."

Gu Baozhu immediately beamed with joy and said, "I'll teach you when I can mount a horse."

The two sisters-in-law chatted for a while, then a maid came over and said that Madam Dai had come looking for Qin Yuan. Gu Baozhu asked in surprise, "You don't need to come to help today, why are you here again?"

Qin Yuan said, "Something must have happened. I need to go back to Wutong Garden."

Gu Baozhu said reluctantly, "Third Sister-in-law, you must come to see me often. I'm so bored lying in bed."

Qin Yuan said, "Why don't you take this opportunity to have your sixth brother teach you how to compose couplets? You'll find those useful for drinking games in the future."

Gu Baozhu thought for a moment and nodded, "Okay."

It was rare to see her so well-behaved, so Qin Yuan smiled.

Upon returning to Wutong Garden, Madam Dai was already waiting in the hall.

Qin Yuan asked, "Sister Cheng, why aren't you resting today? You've been working so hard these past few days."

When Dai did not see Hongye and the others, she asked, "Where are Hongye and the others?"

Qin Yuan said, "They need to take inventory of the supplies today, so that they won't have trouble calculating them later."

Madam Dai exclaimed, "If you ask me, I've never seen such a capable young wife as you. Even with my age and experience managing such a large manor, I haven't managed it as well as you."

Qin Yuan laughed and said, "Sister-in-law Cheng, you keep praising me, I really believe you."

Dai laughed and said, "I'm a straightforward person, I don't talk nonsense."

Qin Yuan knew she had something to say, so she waited a while, and sure enough, Lady Dai asked, "Yesterday I heard from the aunt at home that the Marquis returned and captured several Yelü people. Was it that Zhao... who brought them here?"

Qin Yuan nodded.

"I won't lie to you, the Marquis hasn't said anything about this matter yet. It's all been handled by Gu Shiliu, and I haven't had a chance to ask. If Shiliu could find out anything, he would have reported it long ago."

Dai hesitated, picked up her teacup and put it down again. Qin Yuan was not in a hurry and waited patiently for her to speak.

"I don't know if it's because I already have some doubts in my mind, but I always feel that there's something wrong with Brother Cheng and Sister Yu."

Dai eventually told the truth.

Qin Yuan then asked, "What do you mean?"

"These two children haven't been here long, and I don't know their personalities very well. We've gotten to know each other a little better these days. The master really likes Cheng-ge'er and teaches him some martial arts and such when he has time. When I went back yesterday, these two children were particularly clingy and asked a lot of questions about the Marquis's mansion."

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and asked, "Where are their maids and servants?"

Madam Dai said, "Xiao Hong and Zi He are not very useful now, and Cheng Ge'er prefers to be close to that old woman. I have been in the Marquis's mansion during the day these days, and the concubines at home are not very involved. I thought that since they have just arrived, they should stay for a while before we talk about hiring a tutor. I haven't had time to deal with anything else."

Qin Yuan then said, "Let's not rush the matter of the tutor. Let's see what Brother Cheng has to say. If you can't find a good one, I can help you look for one. Master Songshan is currently in the manor, and I'm afraid Sixth Master's children all want to study under him. The Marquis also had his eye on Master Songshan before, and even had a meal with him and his two children. I don't know what Master Songshan thinks. We'll have to ask him first."

Mr. Dai clicked his tongue in amazement: "This Mr. Songshan has quite the airs."

"Talented people all have a certain air about them. It's not a problem if they have a lot of airs, but it's the kind of people who have neither knowledge nor ability, and all they have is airs."

"That's true."

Qin Yuan then asked about Dai's medication. Dai smiled and said, "I'm fine. I'm taking care of myself according to what Doctor Li said every day. It's just that my master has to report for duty every morning and evening. Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, and His Majesty is celebrating the Empress Dowager's birthday. The Five Cities Garrison is extremely busy. The things they do are all very trivial, but they are related to the appearance of the city and the streets. Nobles can see them when they go out, so they have to be extra careful. Therefore, they rarely run into Doctor Li. However, Doctor Li checked her pulse last time and said it was nothing serious. She should take the medicine for a while and she will get better. We plan to wait until this busy period is over before making any decisions."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Then it's alright. As long as you're healthy, the rest depends on whether you have the chance to have children. You're raising Brother Cheng and Sister Yu, so they'll surely bring children with them."

Mrs. Dai also laughed: "I just hope to raise the child well and hope this matter will be resolved soon."

Qin Yuan nodded.

Who wouldn't want it to end soon?

"It'll be soon. Let's keep an eye on it."

Zhao couldn't resist taking action to take the child away. If she failed once, she would think of other ways.

But why would Yelü Guzha go to such lengths?

Qin Yuan subconsciously tapped the table lightly, pondering what kind of connection existed between the Zhao family and Yelü Guzha.

Suddenly, Madam Dai said, "Our master really likes Cheng-ge'er. He says he has a big frame and a strong physique, making him a good prospect for martial arts. He is also straightforward and ambitious. If we can find their mother soon, we can rest easy. We are all human, and if we raise a child for too long and then lose him, we will inevitably be heartbroken. We are old and can't bear it."

"What does Brother Cheng mean?"

"Because of the Empress Dowager's birthday, the people of the Five Cities Garrison are to re-check the household registration and merchant registration, just in case. My master said this is an excellent opportunity."