Bai Que's face was filled with hatred at the mention of Hongye.

“That slut is so arrogant, she won’t even let me into the gate of Wutong Garden.”

Granny Zhao exclaimed in shock, "How could she be so disrespectful to you? You were once someone who served the old lady, and even the Lady of the Marquis should have given you some face."

Bai Que said angrily, "Who knew that the Marquis would indulge them like this?"

These women, besides Hongye, also regard Qin Yuan, Hongye's master.

Zhao Mama chuckled inwardly at her overestimation of her abilities, and said with a helpless expression, "There's nothing we can do about it. The Marquis's wife even asked the Sixth Madam if you were very useful to the Old Madam, and she quickly sent Hongye to report to the Marquis and ask how he should deal with it. I don't know what Hongye said, but the Marquis said he would let you leave the manor."

Bai Que was furious. "That Hongye! Not content with just insulting me, she goes and spews maggots in front of the Marquis. I will not let her get away with this!"

Granny Zhao said, "I'm telling you this so you can understand what's going on. Don't tell anyone else, or you'll implicate me and the Sixth Madam."

Bai Que immediately stood up, bowed to Zhao Mama, and said, "I will definitely remember the kindness of Sixth Madam and Mama."

Granny Zhao quickly helped her up and said, "You're not fully recovered yet, why are you bowing so deeply? I'm just sharing your pain because I see you sad. If you want to stay, it's no use asking the old lady. You might as well try to persuade the Marquis to change his mind."

The white sparrow sighed.

"It's really difficult to see the Marquis these days."

Granny Zhao said with a smile, "For some people, seeing the Marquis is not difficult at all."

After she finished speaking, she didn't even look at Bai Que, but stood up and said, "I came here in my spare time, and I have to go back quickly. Madam Liu has been very busy lately, so I'll be leaving now. If you need any help from me, just let me know."

Bai Que said gratefully, "Thank you for helping me, Granny."

Zhao Mama returned to Madam Gu's side and said with a smile, "Bai Que has already come to hate Hongye. Her parents are very protective of their own and care a lot about their reputation. They've made so many boastful claims that they can't control the situation, so they're bound to cause a big scene."

Madam Gu said with a smile, "That Hongye is sharp-tongued. Her master doesn't teach her a lesson, so I'll teach her a good lesson and make her remember it."

Granny Zhao also smiled.

Wutong Garden.

Qin Yuan changed her clothes again and prepared to go to the main room to sit for a while, so she asked Hongye to ask Gu Jinghui whether they should have dinner at the old lady's place.

Seeing that everyone had left, Gu Jinghui changed his clothes and planned to go find Qin Jijiu.

Without waiting for Hongye to relay the message, he went to the main room and said to Qin Yuan, "You stay and talk with your mother for a while. I have something to do today. If I come back late, you don't have to wait for me. Just have dinner with your mother."

He was both hoping Qin Yuan would ask him what he was doing and not wanting her to ask.

Seeing that he was dressed neatly, Qin Yuan knew he was going out to meet guests, and simply said, "Lord Marquis, you are not fully recovered yet. Who is serving you? Is it Sixteen?"

Gu Jinghui said, "I can just take a servant with me. Sixteen and Seventeen are both out running around."

Qin Yuan thought to herself, Seventeen went to inquire about pepper, and Sixteen was busy with something, not showing up all day.

But since Lord Gu didn't say anything, she didn't ask. She just nodded and said, "It's hot outside, Lord Gu, don't rush. You might sweat too much and sting your wound."

Lord Gu was secretly pleased, but said aloud, "This is nothing. When I first went to the military camp, I made a mistake and my father beat me with a dozen sticks. He also made me not rest for a moment and had to march with the army."

Qin Yuan said seriously, "But the Marquis is in the capital now, how can he be so careless about his health?"

Lord Gu smiled and said, "I know, I will live well and stay with you. I am in good health."

Qin Yuan: "..."

Lord Gu left with a smile.

Hongye and Cuiming couldn't help but laugh.

Qin Yuan said helplessly, "Let's go to the upper room."

As soon as they entered the main room, Xiao Hong came out to greet them, smiling sweetly, "Madam, you've come at the perfect time. The old lady is feeling troubled right now. With you here to talk to her, she'll feel better soon."

These words both flattered Qin Yuan and conveyed the message.

Qin Yuan said, "You little girl, you're quite clever."

Xiao Hong quickly replied, "Thank you for the compliment, Madam. The Marquis said the same thing."

"oh?"

Qin Yuan asked, "What did the Marquis say?"

"The Marquis said that Xiao Hong is eloquent and has a good memory, and is a useful person. Rong Mama even asked the Marquis if he wanted to take Xiao Hong as a concubine and have her serve in Wutong Garden."

"What did the Marquis say?"

"The Marquis said that it would be best if the Madam agreed. He will not interfere in the affairs of Wutong Garden and will let Xiao Hong perform well in front of the Madam."

Xiao Hong blinked her eyes, looking at Qin Yuan with anticipation.

Hongye couldn't help but chuckle and said, "You're quite good at climbing up the pole."

Xiao Hong said earnestly, "Granny Rong said that many people are eyeing the vacancy in Wutong Courtyard. I'm young, and if I'm not clever, Madam definitely won't take a liking to me."

This was the first time Qin Yuan had ever met such a straightforward child.

You might say she's scheming, but she's not really calculating; she just says what she thinks.

If you say she's naive, she at least knows how to curry favor and drag Rong Momo into it.

Qin Yuan asked her with a smile, "Why did you come to Wutong Garden? Wouldn't it be better to serve in the main room? The girls who have served the old lady are more respectable elsewhere."

Xiao Hong said earnestly, "Madam is beautiful and kind, and the Marquis is gentle. I am naturally happy to serve him. There are many capable older sisters in the main house, all trained by the Old Madam and Rong Mama. I am inconspicuous among them. Madam has just arrived at the Marquis's mansion and is in need of help. Although I am young, I am quick and efficient and have a good memory. I will definitely be able to help Madam and the older sisters."

Hongye laughed, "Oh my, even Madam can't do without you. You've got a sharp tongue."

Cui Ming also said, "She is indeed very clever."

Qin Yuan remained silent.

Xiao Hong wasn't disappointed and continued to lead the way with a smile.

This mindset earned Qin Yuan's secret approval.

When Madam Gu learned that her daughter-in-law had come again, she asked Rong Mama, "What has my good-for-nothing son done this time?"

Rong Momo hesitated and shook her head: "I haven't heard of it."

As soon as Qin Yuan entered, she happily called out "Mother".

Madam Gu breathed a sigh of relief and asked with a smile, "Why did you come in such a hot sun? I'm not the kind of person who's rigidly bound by rules and wants to keep my wife by my side to serve me. Hui-ge'er is going to the camp for his shift in a couple of days. Instead of keeping him company, you're here in the scorching sun to keep this old woman company."

Qin Yuan asked in surprise, "Mother, do you already dislike me? The Marquis was going out to meet guests, and I remembered that the Marquis specifically instructed me to tell you a story during lunch, so I came. I didn't expect that you would not be happy to see me."

Both Old Madam Gu and Granny Rong couldn't help but laugh.

"Mom is worried about you. She's afraid that if you get sunburned, your little face will get tanned, which would be a real shame."

Qin Yuan sat next to Madam Gu and chatted for a while. Madam Gu asked curiously, "What was that thing you and Hui-ge'er were talking about, the Qin guy who wiped out the entire Cui family? It was so terrible."

Gu Jinghui asked Qin Jijiu in the same way, "Father-in-law, why did that Qin fellow exterminate the entire Cui family?"