Neither Hongye nor Cuiming knew what Qin Yuan was up to.

Qin Yuan didn't explain, but ordered someone to pack some gold, silver, silk and other items before going to the meditation hall.

The monks who were performing the rituals stepped forward one by one to receive the gifts.

Qin Yuan then asked, "Are all the monks in the temple here?"

The abbot smiled and said, "No, these are all people performing rituals. The other novice monks, sweepers, and vegetable growers have not come before you, esteemed guest."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "We've troubled them here for several days, so how could we not thank them in person?"

The host then ordered someone to summon him.

Soon they all arrived, and one by one they received their gifts, each saying auspicious words.

Qin Yuan thanked them one by one.

After everyone left, Qin Yuanfang told Gu Shiliu to take a few people and secretly capture them.

"Once we've entered the city, you should arrest the people while thoroughly searching that courtyard, leaving no collapsed houses or dry wells untouched. Look carefully to see if you can find anything that can prove our identities."

Gu Shiliu quickly agreed.

Qin Yuan then went to the incense altar to offer incense.

Gu Shiliu said to Gu Shiba, "Madam acts meticulously, proceeds step by step, and possesses both strategic acumen and composure. I truly admire you."

Gu Shiba said, "Otherwise, why would the Marquis be so afraid of the Madam?"

Gu Shiliu spat, "Is this something you can say?"

Gu Shiba disagreed, retorting, "What's wrong with saying this? Last time I went to the camp with the Marquis, he asked the officers if they were afraid of the Lady. He said that only by being afraid can one have a future. Alas! What a pity..."

Remembering the Marquis's hidden ailment, Gu Shiba suddenly couldn't continue speaking.

Gu Shiliu asked, puzzled, "What's a pity?"

Gu Shiba gave Gu Shiliu a meaningful look.

This person is usually very clever, why is he so slow-witted now?

Seeing that Gu Shiliu was still waiting for his answer, Gu Shiba spat out, "Is that something to say?"

One should avoid speaking ill of those in positions of authority.

How could those who closely follow the Marquis say such a thing?

It can only be understood intuitively!

Gu Shiliu: "?"

Gu Shiliu didn't bother to delve into the details with him, and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's get our manpower ready quickly. Didn't General Jin want to send people to escort us? Let's send a message quickly and ask them to send more men. We can only have them escort us all the way to the city gate."

Gu Shiba nodded.

"Then we need to hurry, or I'm afraid it will be too late."

The two went off to do their work.

After offering incense, Qin Yuan knelt on the prayer mat and listened to the monks chanting sutras.

Hongye whispered, "Miss, I noticed that Madam Xu doesn't seem to be in good spirits. Didn't she send Sixteen to deliver incense to them yesterday?"

Qin Yuan glanced at Madam Xu's side as if it were an unintentional gesture.

Sure enough, they noticed that Madam Xu's eyes were glazed over, she looked extremely listless, and her eyebrows drooped, as if she had many worries on her mind.

The other members of the Xu family weren't much better off.

Qin Yuan chuckled: "Perhaps it's because he's scared that even lighting incense won't help."

Hongye frowned, puzzled.

Cui Ming whispered, "They say if you have a clear conscience, you have nothing to fear. It's clear that the Xu family knows they've done something wrong, which is why they're so afraid."

Qin Yuan remained silent.

Hongye and Cuiming remained silent.

The ceremony finally ended, but it was past noon.

Qin Yuan then said, "Why don't you all have a vegetarian meal before you leave? It will take quite a while to get back to the city now."

The Dai family and others naturally wouldn't refuse.

Madam Xu then brought the children over, her expression both reserved and subtly obsequious.

Gu Baozhu sat next to Qin Yuan, exchanging a few words with the Xu family.

Madam Xu then asked, "Madam, why haven't we seen Kang-ge'er and the others having their vegetarian meal?"

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Granny Rong will eat with them. They are young and tired from kneeling for so long. If they eat with the adults, they will inevitably feel constrained and won't eat well."

"Madam is so thoughtful. With you taking care of them, we, the maternal uncle's family, are at ease."

"These are all minor matters. They are all descendants of the Gu family and live in the main rooms of the mansion, along with the old lady. I am merely taking care of them in small ways. My sixth brother is to observe three years of mourning with his children, so it is only right that I, as his aunt, trouble myself more."

"Is Sixth Master really going to observe three years of mourning?" Dai Shi, who was at the next table, asked immediately upon hearing this.

Gu Baozhu said, "Yes, my sixth brother also said that he will no longer take concubines and will devote himself to learning painting and poetry to set an example for his nephews and nieces."

Madam Dai sighed, "I never expected Sixth Master to be so sentimental and loyal. Speaking of the changes in Sixth Master this year, they are truly remarkable. Since the Marquis returned, the Marquis's mansion has had a pillar of support. I heard that even the Emperor praised Sixth Master's poetry and wrote a scroll in his own hand."

Madam Xu hurriedly asked, "What does that banner say?"

Madam Dai frowned and said, "The 'horse' thing is just an encouragement for Sixth Master to work hard."

Qin Yuan laughed and said, "A fine horse can't leap ten steps in one bound; but a slow horse can travel ten times the distance if it perseveres. My sixth brother treasures this very much and has hired a craftsman to frame it so he can hang it in his study to motivate himself every day. Mother said that if he had studied this hard earlier, he might have become the top scholar in the imperial examination."

Madam Xu's face turned slightly sour upon hearing this.

"It's a pity that our nun can't see it."

The implication was that no matter how successful Master Gu became in the future, he would have no connection with the Xu family.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Sixth Master used to be young, but now he's full of love for children. If Sixth Sister-in-law knew, she would probably be happy for him. You are the children's maternal relatives. If they have a bright future, you will also be proud of them."

These words made Madam Xu's face light up, and she was quite tempted.

Gu Baozhu asked, "Third sister-in-law, could it be that my sixth brother really wants to take the imperial examination?"

Qin Yuan said, "It's good for Sixth Brother to become a renowned scholar first. I've noticed that his paintings are getting better and better lately. In the future, he will be able to create paintings with accompanying poems. With Mr. Songshan's guidance, his scholarship will gradually increase. He will definitely live up to His Majesty's expectations."

Gu Baozhu nodded.

Madam Dai also exclaimed in admiration: "As the saying goes, where there's a will, there's a way. With such a lofty ambition, how could Sixth Master not succeed?"

Madam Xu casually picked up a piece of vegetarian gluten and placed it in the child's bowl.

Qin Yuan said, "The vegetarian food here is pretty good, but after eating it for several days, everyone is getting a little tired of it."

Madam Xu said, "Yes."

Qin Yuan added, "If Sixth Sister-in-law is watching from heaven, she will surely bless Sixth Brother and the children so that they may make progress in their studies."

Madam Xu's hand trembled.

Gu Baozhu asked, "Does a person's spirit truly exist after death?"

Qin Yuan sneered, "Of course there is. If you're not afraid of karmic retribution, it will be too late to regret it later. How many people can do bad things and live a peaceful old age? As the old saying goes, it's not that retribution won't come, it's just that the time hasn't arrived yet. Some people will be punished in this life, and some will be punished in their children. So don't deceive the gods. Our Marquis was able to drive away the Yelü clan, which must have been due to the protection of our ancestors."

These words left Gu Baozhu speechless and hesitant.

Clang.

The ebony chopsticks inlaid with silver slipped from Madam Xu's hand, crashed onto the plate, and then fell to the ground.