Qin Yuan smiled and said, "When you send someone over, tell Xiao Dong that the Marquis is taking my brother horseback riding today. If he has time, he can come and join in the fun."

Cui Ming said, "Wouldn't Xiao Dong be overjoyed? Even if Doctor Li locks him in a dark room, he'll find a way to escape."

Qin Yuan couldn't help but laugh: "You might as well say that even if he has to crawl, he will crawl here."

Cui Ming smiled too.

Qin Yuan then instructed, "Remember to send someone to the Imperial Academy to ask Heng-ge'er to come to the manor to ride a horse after school. Tell him this as soon as possible so he can make arrangements accordingly."

Qin Heng had been spending a lot of time with Xu Tang these days, but he was still worried and wanted to call him over to ask him what was going on.

Cui Ming agreed to everything, her expression becoming increasingly relaxed.

Qin Yuan was relieved and went to the council courtyard to discuss matters.

Wan the accountant and others were already waiting there. Both Steward Han and Steward Cao had dark circles under their eyes that reached their cheekbones. When they saw her walk in looking radiant, they secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Qin Yuan asked with a smile, "Why are you all gathered here waiting for me so early in the morning?"

The housekeeper, Mr. Qian, smiled obsequiously and brought over a chair for Qin Yuan, saying solicitously, "This is all about the proposal. After discussing it for several days, we've finally come up with a result for you, Madam."

Steward Cao immediately replied, "This... it was mainly the accountant who obtained the regulations; we were just helping to fill in the gaps."

Accountant Wan coughed lightly and said slowly, "Steward Cao is too modest. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have discovered so many problems."

Butler Qian laughed and said, "Yes, yes, yes, as the saying goes, many hands make light work."

Qin Yuan glanced at the silent Butler Han with a half-smile and said, "So, everyone is satisfied with this arrangement."

"Satisfied, satisfied."

Everyone nodded.

Steward Han stated matter-of-factly: "It is a blessing for us servants that Master has this plan. Furthermore, it is a good thing to think long-term, but we servants cannot foresee what will happen in the future."

Qin Yuan nodded.

“Let’s discuss this first, and then we’ll give it to the old lady and see what she thinks. These days, the old lady and the clan elders have been discussing it, but they’re all talking about their own ideas and haven’t come to any conclusions. If we think it’s good, then the whole clan has to think it’s good too.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Steward Cao then urged Accountant Wan to explain the regulations to his master. Qin Yuan listened carefully and nodded repeatedly when she heard the insightful points.

"This explanation is indeed detailed and appropriate. If it works, we can follow it. Even if the clan feels it's not appropriate, we can prepare it ourselves first."

Butler Han agreed: "Focusing on two aspects is indeed more prudent."

No one knows what will happen in the future. If the Gu family collapses, how will those who depend on them fare? If the skin is gone, what will the hair cling to?

We can only try to make it a gradual and sustainable process.

Qin Yuan nodded.

"Man proposes, God disposes, so we don't need to worry about everything. If future generations can be mindful of potential dangers in times of peace and not destroy the foundation, but instead add bricks and tiles, the family can last for a long time. Besides, children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Only by accumulating virtue, doing good deeds, and passing down the family tradition of farming and reading can we hope for longevity."

Hearing this, Butler Han nodded emphatically.

Although the lady is young, she has a long-term vision and is not fixated on achieving the best outcome, which are truly admirable qualities.

The more intelligent a person is, the more they tend to use their intelligence to the extreme, ultimately leaving no room for compromise, making things difficult for themselves and others.

This wisdom of knowing when to stop surpasses that of countless others.

He took a deep breath and said, "With Madam's plan, it is already a blessing for our children and grandchildren. As the saying goes, a family that accumulates good deeds will surely have abundant blessings. In the future, our children and grandchildren should accumulate more blessings and cherish them, study more to understand principles, and faithfully follow their master. Blessings will naturally come."

One of the rules proposed by Wan Zhangfang was that their children and grandchildren would learn to read and write by following the Gu family's clan school, and would be taught and passed on their skills by the elders. The best of them would be sent to work in various properties of the Marquis's mansion.

This is a good thing that will benefit generations to come.

As long as the title of Marquis of Dingbei can be passed down steadily, their descendants will not be without a place to live. Although they are not as fortunate as the powerful servants in the homes of imperial relatives and nobles, their status is secure and long-lasting.

Steward Cao also said, "That's right. We're not gods. Who can control what will happen several generations from now? Madam's planning is already a blessing for our descendants. They will need to work hard to manage it in the future. Otherwise, even if we lie on mountains of gold and silver, we won't be able to keep it."

Wan Zhangfang nodded slowly.

Seeing that everyone had something to say, Steward Qian rolled his eyes and said with a smile, "This old servant has been able to serve Madam in this life, and our children and grandchildren will have something to look forward to in the future. Isn't this the blessing I accumulated in my past life?"

The flattery made Steward Cao's face twitch.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "I am young and don't understand many things. Even if I have this idea, I need to rely on everyone to do it. In a way, it is also for everyone to accumulate blessings for their own descendants and the descendants of everyone else."

Steward Cao said solemnly, "Madam is absolutely right. If this matter is settled, it would be a great thing."

Qin Yuan smiled and said a few more words to them before saying, "I will discuss this further after I have informed the Marquis and the Old Madam. If you have something to attend to, please go ahead and do your work."

Everyone took their leave.

Steward Qian stayed behind and said to Qin Yuan with a fawning smile, "This old servant has something I'd like to ask for your favor, Madam."

Qin Yuan asked curiously, "What is it? Please speak freely."

The steward then said, “I used to work for Steward Zhang and never had the chance to show my face in front of you, so I didn’t dare to contribute to the purchase of pepper. Now that I hear that you want to collect the contributions from these people and have started buying pepper, I’m tempted to contribute as well. I wonder if you could grant me that favor?”

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "But did you know that Hongmian gave a gift to her mother?"

Steward Qian was taken aback. Seeing Qin Yuan's gentle expression, he quickly explained, "When I saw Miss Hongmian smiling, I asked her what good thing she had. I thought that since Madam is kind-hearted and could agree to Miss Hongmian's request, she might also agree to my request, so that I could also earn some money for my coffin."

Qin Yuan then asked, "This is not a big deal. Even if we don't allow others to contribute, we certainly won't forbid you from contributing. But do you know that there is no such thing as a sure thing in business? I told Hongmian the same thing."

The steward's expression relaxed, and he said happily, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam. This old servant is not ignorant; I know what is important."

After he expressed his gratitude profusely, Qin Yuan asked again, "If you were not giving much money, you could have just transferred it to someone else at the accounting office. Why did you have to go through all this trouble in front of me?"

Steward Qian laughed and said, "Madam, you don't know, but I gave a lot of money. I have several younger brothers, but they weren't as lucky as me and didn't get to work in the manor. So when something good happens, they naturally want to help their family members. Besides, I have several sons in my family, and they will all be getting married in the future, so I have to think of ways to save more money now."

Qin Yuan thought about it and then understood.

Thinking back, there weren't many lucrative opportunities working under Butler Zhang.

Furthermore, now that she has become a housekeeper, she will likely have to raise the bar for her son's marriage.

"Do you have a wife in mind?"