Qin Yuan smiled and said, "You can just stay here peacefully in the manor. The Marquis will take good care of you. You are still young. As long as you know your mistakes and can correct them, that's good. If you make progress in the future, the Marquis will be pleased."
Yu Jie'er's eyes were red and swollen from crying, and she looked at her blankly and helplessly, while Cheng Ge'er bit his lower lip and nodded gently.
Of the two children, Cheng Ge'er is clearly more opinionated and more flexible.
Qin Yuan thought that if this child were to get on the right path in the future, he would probably be able to achieve something great.
However, it is unknown what his parents' background is.
The current dynasty has extremely strict household registration management. Those whose ancestors committed crimes or whose parents were actors, criminals, servants, constables, coroners, or entertainers, or whose status was low, were not allowed to participate in the imperial examinations.
This will also affect Yu Jie'er's marriage in the future.
Qin Yuan thought of the same thing as Old Madam Gu and Rong Mama, and they couldn't help but sigh in their hearts. They felt even more disgusted with Zhao Niangzi. How could she leave the two children like this?
Qiuju and the others had already set out breakfast, and everyone perked up and sat down to eat, enjoying the meal quietly.
After the meal, Zhao Mama, who served the Sixth Madam, came and said that the Sixth Madam had interrogated the old women guarding the gate. The old women swore that they hadn't slept all night and hadn't dared to leave their posts, and that they hadn't seen Zhao Niangzi leave the house.
The Sixth Madam had to take care of two sick children, so she didn't come to report in person.
Qin Yuan then learned that the two girls born to Aunt Huang and the Sixth Madam had broken out in smallpox one after the other this morning. The imperial physician had already confirmed it, and the Sixth Madam was busy cleaning the room to invite the Smallpox Goddess.
This startled the old lady, who hurriedly asked Cheng-ge'er and Yu-jie'er, "Did you have smallpox when you were little?"
I can't remember Brother Cheng and Sister Yu.
With none of her servants around and Zhao Niangzi having run away, no one knew what was going on. This made Old Madam Gu so angry that she slapped her thigh and said, "I'm telling you all, you have to be careful. If you get infected with this, it can be fatal. Even if you haven't had it before, you should still be careful."
Qin Yuan asked, "Mother, you shouldn't be afraid anymore, right?"
Madam Gu said, "I'm not afraid. All my children have had this before. Once it happens, it won't happen again. What about you?"
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "It has been released before."
Not only her, but all the maids around her have had affairs.
Only then was Madam Gu relieved. She then said to Yu'er, "If you feel unwell, remember to tell your parents so they can call a doctor to come and see you right away. Otherwise, if you get smallpox and it gets very itchy, and you accidentally scratch it, it will leave pits, and you'll end up with pockmarks when you grow up, which won't look good."
Yu Jie'er had long known about her love of beauty, and upon hearing this, she was terrified and immediately forgot about Zhao Niangzi and the wet nurse.
Cheng Ge'er agreed, repeatedly promising not to run around, not to get chilled, and to call a doctor immediately if he felt even slightly unwell.
Qin Yuan sat for a while, but Gu Jinghui didn't come, so she got up to say goodbye.
Madam Gu was exhausted and wanted to rest.
As they stepped out of the main room, Hongye said, "I didn't expect Young Master Cheng to be so sensible."
They've only been in the upper room for a few days, and their attitude has changed so much.
Qin Yuan said, "No one taught him before, but now that someone is teaching him, he's lost his former confidence, so naturally he's changed. You should have Xiao Hong keep an eye on the two of them."
After pondering for a while, Hongye asked, "Does Miss think there's something wrong with Young Master Cheng?"
Qin Yuan said, "That's not it. I was just worrying for nothing. He was used to being pampered, but suddenly his mother's whereabouts are unknown and his father's identity is unclear. It's inevitable that he would be a little extreme. Besides..."
Qin Yuan lowered her voice, "What if Madam Zhao sends someone back to look for them?"
It's hard to know what they're really thinking.
Hongye realized what she meant and nodded, "So, Miss was considering things for the Marquis's sake."
Qin Yuan said, "The Marquis and I are husband and wife, and his dignity is also mine."
Conversely, if the Marquis falls on hard times, how glamorous can she be?
Cui Ming frowned and said, "Where did Zhao Niangzi go? Why was she in such a hurry to run away? Could she be hiding some important secret?"
Qin Yuan said, "I was thinking about this too, but it wasn't convenient for me to ask. Judging from Mother's expression, it seems she already knows something."
Inside the Wutong Garden, the head housekeepers had been waiting for a long time. Upon seeing Qin Yuan, they greeted her, "Madam has returned."
Qin Yuan nodded and said, "I stayed in the main room a little longer today, so I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
The supervising mothers understood what was going on and immediately said, "It's alright, it's alright."
Hongmian efficiently arranged for the other maids to move tables and chairs under the shade of the tree, open silk umbrellas, set out tea and snacks, and hand over the roll call book. She was even more efficient and lively than Hongye.
Hongye: "..."
How did I suddenly understand what the young lady was saying?
Qin Yuan slowly sat down and asked, "What do you have to report today?"
The head maids reported on everyday trivial matters, but Li Mama from the sewing room asked, "When Madam Zhao lived in the Marquis's mansion, should we continue making her clothes for each season?"
Everyone looked over, eager to see how Qin Yuan would handle the situation.
Qin Yuan said, "Let's put it aside for now. Zhao Niangzi has been ill and doesn't need any clothes made for the time being. We can make them for her when she recovers."
Li's mother's lips moved as if she wanted to say something.
Standing to the side, Madam Lu scoffed coldly and said, "Do you think Madam is someone like you?"
Li's mother glared at Lu's mother but didn't reply.
Qin Yuan knew that the two of them wouldn't have a peaceful time, and she couldn't be bothered with their affairs. Gu Jinghui hadn't returned yet, and there was no conclusion about Zhao Niangzi's matter, so she wouldn't express any opinion.
Then the supervising mothers asked about the pepper with smiles on their faces.
Qin Yuan frowned, looking troubled: "Pepper in the capital is currently in high demand but not available. I don't know what the Prince Qi's mansion was thinking, but they instructed the merchants not to sell pepper for the time being, and the prices are extremely high. Gu Shiqi has already gone to other places to inquire. If you have any other places where you need money, just tell Hongye and return the money. I may not even be able to buy pepper here."
The supervising mothers quickly waved their hands and said, "It's alright, it's alright, we were just asking."
Qin Yuan knew that they must have heard some rumors in private to do this, so she winked at Hongye and said, "Since you are all fine, I will go back and rest for a while. The sun is too bright and it hurts my eyes."
Seeing that she had returned to the main room, Hongye said to Hongmian, "You are a servant girl, so there are some things I shouldn't ask you. Why don't you ask them if they heard anything?"
Having received guidance, Hongmian excitedly went to inquire about the news.
Cui Ming simply chuckled when she saw this.
Hongye said, "What are you laughing at? I've already trained one, what about yours?"
Cuiming said, "You're just too impatient. Miss has only been married into the Marquis's mansion for a short time. Let's take it one step at a time. You can't rush things. Let me figure out the needlework room first."
Before long, Hongmian received the news and pulled Hongye aside, whispering, "Zhao Mama, who serves the Sixth Madam, told them that she would help them get rich. She said that the Sixth Madam's family had a chance to buy pepper and asked if they wanted to contribute."
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