After saying that, Madam Gu started crying again.

Qin Yuan thought to herself, "Sixth Master Gu is handsome and has nothing better to do than wander around among the flowers. It must be common for him to attract attention."

Madam Gu cried countless times.

Such sadness suggests there might be other troubles brewing.

Gu Jinghui, sitting beside him, looked embarrassed, clearly feeling it was inappropriate to discuss his brother's private affairs with his sister-in-law, and could only sit awkwardly beside her.

Old Madam Gu looked quite exhausted, only able to sigh and rub her forehead, while Rong Momo stood aside with her brows furrowed.

Qin Yuan stepped forward to wipe away Madam Gu's tears and asked, "Has Madam Gu eaten yet?"

Madam Gu shook her head.

Qin Yuan said, "That's great! Let's eat together at Mother's. She has a wide variety of dishes; it would be a waste if we couldn't finish them all."

Old Madam Gu had been having a headache since early morning. Upon hearing this, she laughed and said, "You little monkey, you always come here to eat. You might really eat me out of house and home."

With a smile, Rong Momo handed over a hot towel and said, "It's not that the old lady needs to worry about how much the madam can eat if the madam is the only one coming. It's the madam who needs to worry about coming with the Marquis."

Gu Jinghui smiled and said, "Madam is eating so well that I can't help but eat a little more. If Mother feels it's not worth it, I'll just give you a gift of money."

Qin Yuan hurriedly took out the receipt from her purse and handed it to Rong Mama, saying, "This is the receipt for the pepper that Mother and Rong Mama bought yesterday. If we made money, we'll have enough for this year's gift money, and Mother won't have to complain about being poor."

"Oh, you even have a receipt?"

Madam Gu found it unusual.

Gu Jinghui had heard about this yesterday, but had not yet seen it, so he came over to take a look.

Rong Momo opened the paper. The posture on it was accurate, and it was stamped with Qin Yuan's private seal. There was also a blank space for them to sign their names.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "This is nothing. Cui Ming and Hong Ye even made a special account book. Although we are just women, we still need to set rules for what we do, so that others can see that we are doing important and serious things."

This remark made everyone laugh.

Cuiming hurriedly stepped forward and handed the account book to Rong Mama, saying, "Rong Mama, the Madam asked me to bring this. Please sign it with the Old Madam. The silver notes have already been deposited into the account. After signing, you can use these notes to distribute the silver at the end of the year."

Madam Gu couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Rong Momo smiled as she took the account, opened it, and said, "Madam, this old servant really didn't expect that there are quite a few people on this account book. Gu Shiliu and Hongye Cuiming both have a share, and Cai Mama also contributed a share."

Madam Gu wiped away her tears and stared intently at the account book, lost in thought.

Madam Gu smiled and said, "Let me take a look."

Rong Momo quickly handed it over.

Madam Gu examined the ledger carefully and said, "This ledger is very well done, haha, that old woman even signed it."

Qiuju brought over the inkpad, "Why don't we use this?"

Madam Gu nodded: "This is much more convenient. I don't always keep writing brushes and ink on hand, and I don't even know where they've put them."

Madam Gu said, "Third Sister-in-law, I would also like to contribute a share."

Qin Yuan glanced at her, lowered her eyes, and said with a smile, "I wonder how much Sixth Sister-in-law will contribute."

Madam Gu said, "I don't have much money, just like Granny Rong. If I earn money, I'll use it to buy flowers to wear."

Qin Yuan smiled and agreed.

Madam Gu then turned to her personal maid and said, "You should also contribute a share. Third Sister-in-law has received so many gifts, she must be very confident. Let's all get rich together."

The personal maid paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "That's right, Madam, please do me the honor of sharing with this old servant."

Gu Jinghui frowned, but remained silent.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "If you're willing, then you can join us. But let me make this clear: your contribution is your own choice, and you're responsible for your own profits and losses when it comes to splitting the money. Don't be happy when you win and then blame me when you lose."

The personal maid smiled and said, "How could that be? Madam is joking."

It's unclear whether she was criticizing Qin Yuan for losing money, or asking how Qin Yuan could have lost money.

Qin Yuan didn't mind and just smiled.

Qiuju and her maids had already set out breakfast. Old Madam Gu, feeling sorry for her son, asked, "Would you like some meat soup?"

Gu Jinghui shook his head: "Mother, there's no need."

He came because he had business to attend to, not because he was coming for breakfast. There's no need to trouble him.

Knowing his temperament, Madam Gu said no more.

“You’ve been crying for a long time, and you probably didn’t eat well last night. Eat more so you don’t upset your stomach.”

Old Madam Gu comforted Sixth Madam Gu with concern.

Qin Yuan didn't need anyone to persuade her; she ate with great relish, as if every breakfast dish was a delicacy she wanted to savor.

Everyone unknowingly ate quite a bit more.

After the meal, Gu Jinghui stayed in the main room to talk with the old lady, while Qin Yuan took her leave with Madam Gu Liu. She still had to return to Wutong Garden to handle some affairs, and the stewardesses should have already gathered.

Madam Gu held Qin Yuan's hand and said, "Third sister-in-law, I'm sorry to have made you laugh this morning. I was also angered by Sixth Master. He's been like this for so many years, and I can't persuade him no matter what I do."

Qin Yuan felt a little awkward, but smiled and said, "Sixth sister-in-law, what are you saying? It's inevitable that we women would be sad when something like this happens."

"Actually, I've gotten used to it over the years. Men are always fickle. As the saying goes, a wife is not as good as a concubine, a concubine is not as good as a stolen one, and a stolen one is not as good as one you can't have. He's taken so many concubines, but he forgets about them as soon as he turns around."

“I am his legal wife. No matter who he takes a concubine, he can’t surpass me. I have given birth to a son and a daughter, which is my source of confidence.”

Qin Yuan nodded in agreement.

Madam Gu said frankly, "Third Sister-in-law, I've finally figured it out. A woman's job is to seize control of a man's wallet while she's young and beautiful, establish rules, have children early, and secure her position as the principal wife. Everything else is secondary. Look at me, no matter how powerful I am in front of those head housekeepers, what can I do if Sixth Master makes a scene?"

Qin Yuan understood her meaning and sighed, "It's tough being a woman in this world. Otherwise, no one would swear that they only wish for you to be a woman and me to be a man in the next life. All of Sixth Sister-in-law's grievances are contained here."

Madam Gu sighed, "Third sister-in-law, you are still young and beautiful, in the prime of your life. I... sigh, I guess I'll just stay with him."

After saying that, she smiled wryly and said, "Why did I say all this? I've spoiled your mood for no reason. You and your third brother are newlyweds, enjoying your honeymoon. Third sister-in-law, I've already asked the shopkeeper and his assistant at the dowry shop to inquire about buying pepper. Don't worry, we'll be able to find it."

Qin Yuan immediately expressed her gratitude.

Madam Gu said with a smile, "I don't understand this either, I just want to make money with Third Sister-in-law."

The implication was that she herself would also stock up on some pepper.

Qin Yuan smiled but didn't speak. After they parted, her personal maid asked Madam Gu curiously, "Why do you want this old servant to have a share too?"

Madam Gu said, "If you and Mama Cai both buy them, then everyone else will want to buy them too. If too many people buy them, and we lose money, she will have to endure a lot of criticism."