"Madam, Shen Chang Le requests an audience," a maidservant outside interrupted Qin Yuan's thoughts. Qin Yuan replied, "Let him in."

Shen Chang Le's plump figure seemed to have lost its former peaceful and joyful air. She said cautiously, "Madam, yesterday this servant and several managers discussed a plan. Please give your instructions."

Qin Yuan ordered someone to bring him a small stool and serve him tea. Then she sent someone to call Cui Ming over and said, "Cui Ming is here too. You tell us what you think first. Even if you're not very good, the three of us are still as good as one Zhuge Liang."

Shen Changle was slightly relieved.

He gathered everyone to discuss the matter, and although they still couldn't find a good idea that could rival the Nine-Turn Lotus Lantern, they could at least give a satisfactory explanation.

After all, those shopkeepers wanted to make a fortune during the festival, so they inquired around and broadened their horizons. In addition, Shen Changle knew that good ideas were valuable, so he announced to everyone that whoever's idea was selected would be rewarded with ten taels of silver, which inspired the shop assistants to offer their ideas as well.

Shen Changle thought that even if it couldn't be used this time, it could be used in the future with some modifications.

Sure enough, Cuiming said after listening, "These ideas are good, but still..."

Shen Changle remained silent, waiting for Qin Yuan to speak.

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "In terms of ideas, it's not bad that we can come up with these methods. However, we want to compete with Shuhai Pavilion. The Marquis wants to take the lead. Their Nine-Turn Lotus Lantern is already prepared. We can't compete with that, so we can only think of other ways."

Shen Changle nodded, waiting for Qin Yuan to continue.

After all, we already knew all of this last time.

Qin Yuan added, "I have an idea, but it's a bit complicated..."

Cui Ming quickly replied, "What does it matter if it's complicated? As long as we can win, we'll work hard no matter how complicated it is."

Shen Chang Le: "..."

He's the one doing the work himself.

Qin Yuan didn't continue the conversation, but instead asked him, "Have you heard any news about the Xu family or Prince Jin recently?"

Shen Changle said, "Xu Tang went out of the palace to play football yesterday. I don't know whose trick he fell into and broke his leg. I think he is unwilling to accept this loss, but he doesn't know the other party's background. He is looking for people everywhere to arrest them and wants to teach them a lesson."

Qin Yuan smiled.

Cui Ming scoffed coldly: "If only you were this dedicated to finding your own cousin."

After Xu Zhen disappeared, the Xu family only knew how to cause trouble for the Marquis's mansion, and didn't do much in private.

Shen Changle smiled and said, "Xu Tang is now wholeheartedly serving the Prince of Jin, so naturally his own future is the most important thing."

Qin Yuan asked, "Did he do anything to my cousin?"

Shen Changle thought for a moment and said, "Now that my leg is broken, I might not be able to take care of it much."

Qin Yuan shook her head. "With a broken leg, you can't enter the palace, so won't you have even more free time? Because of the capital inspection, the Crown Prince, Prince Jin, and the Marquis's Mansion are at odds. Xu Tang was originally planning to cause trouble for his young master to curry favor. The Xu family withdrew their petition and made peace with Sixth Master, using pepper as a dowry payment to ensure they wouldn't use Miss Xu's disappearance to harass the Marquis's Mansion again. Xu Tang is still angry, and I'm afraid he'll take this opportunity to show his loyalty."

Shen Changle was taken aback: "This servant will immediately find someone to keep a close eye on Xu Tang."

Qin Yuan nodded, "You don't know yet, Mr. Songshan is currently planning to establish the Feiyun Pavilion. You travel in the business world, so your information network is much better than others. Wouldn't it be great if you could help Mr. Songshan with his work?"

Shen Changle looked somewhat bewildered and asked, "Madam, what about the pepper and the poetry collection, etc..."

He was really reluctant to give up, but he also knew that there would be many benefits to working with Mr. Matsuyama.

Qin Yuan said, "The capable should do more work, so naturally you should take charge. If you can't handle it all, just promote one or two quick-witted people to help out."

Shen Changle was secretly delighted and quickly agreed.

Qin Yuan added, "I've thought about it, and I'm afraid we can't let things go easily with the Crown Prince and the Prince of Jin. Since the Marquis wants to give Sixth Master some revenge, we should put in a lot more effort."

Shen Changle immediately patted his chest and said, "Madam, just give the order, and this servant will do his best without making any mistakes."

Seeing his confident and bold words, Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Then I will say it, and the three of us can discuss it properly."

...

Gu Baozhu rode out of the Marquis's residence alone and headed towards the Chancellor's residence. When she arrived at the back gate, she looked around and then stood on her horse, climbed onto the courtyard wall, and peered inside.

Seeing that no one was around, he leaped in and rushed straight into Qin Heng's courtyard.

"Heng-ge'er, are you still alive?"

At this moment, Qin Heng was frowning as he practiced calligraphy. His mother kept a close watch on him, and he was rarely allowed to leave the house. In addition, he had to study and practice calligraphy every day, making his life as dull and boring as that of a monk.

However, while the monks recited Amitabha Buddha's name, he read the Four Books and Five Classics.

Madam Cui always nagged, "No matter what, you are the son of the Grand Master of Ceremonies. It's one thing to not study well, but it's another to not study at all. You may not be able to understand the Four Books and Five Classics, but you should be able to recite them fluently. Even if you can't pass the imperial examinations, you should at least have good handwriting. Look at Master Gu, he used to be illiterate, but now he can write poetry and paint. His family donated money to get an official position, so he can go out and socialize. You shouldn't go out and cause any more trouble. With your eldest sister and brother-in-law, it's not your place to worry about your cousin's affairs."

At the Imperial Academy, the Chancellor Qin asked for leave for him, and he also decided not to go to Shen Changle's place.

Being locked in the courtyard every day, feeling utterly bored, I heard a familiar voice outside and immediately came to life. I poked my head out of the window and whispered, "Come in quickly, Grandma, if you don't come soon, I'm really going to die."

Two busybodies got together and decided to take charge of Qin Siyuan's affairs.

As the saying goes, one should draw one's sword to help those in need.

Whether Qin Siyuan himself appreciates it or not is not something these chivalrous and righteous people care about.

Time flies, and before they knew it, it was the day of the birthday banquet for Old Madam You of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion. Qin Yuan got up early, washed and dressed, and went to the main room.

Madam Gu had already changed her clothes. After the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had breakfast and waited for Gu Baozhu, they boarded the carriage and headed to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

Gu Baozhu insisted on sharing a car with her third sister-in-law, but Old Madam Gu said, "Don't you have your own car? Your third sister-in-law takes several maids with her when she goes out. It'll be too crowded for you all to share one car."

This was Qin Yuan's first time going out as a guest, so she naturally couldn't be outdone in terms of attire.

Not only was she dressed very elegantly and formally, but in addition to the strong woman, the old woman, and the maids carrying her personal belongings, she also brought four personal maids with her when she went out.

Gu Baozhu was accompanied by a group of old women and maids, making the carriage too crowded.

Hearing this, Gu Baozhu had no choice but to get into her own carriage. When she arrived at the side gate of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, a servant came to lead the way. When the carriage stopped, Gu Baozhu did not wait for the maid to help her up. She immediately lifted her skirt and jumped out of the carriage.

When Madam Gu saw it, her eyes twitched.

Looking at Qin Yuan again, she was slowly getting off the carriage, supported by He Hua's hand. A gentle breeze blew by, causing her skirt to sway slightly and the green feathers at her temples to tremble. To onlookers, even her ruthlessness was captivating.