Hongye paused for a moment and said, "There's no need to rush. Miss can investigate at her own pace."
After saying that, he picked up a pen and paper, sat down to the side, and picked up an account book to look through it.
Cui Ming slowly gathered up the needle and thread in her hands.
Outside, in the courtyard, Gu Jinghui, who had just stepped onto the covered bridge, stopped and hid his figure in the shadows so as not to be seen by the maids standing under the bridge.
He also wanted to hear Qin Yuan's answer.
Inside the room, Qin Yuan said, "How can I not be anxious? All the account books are here now. I will carefully examine them and find the mistakes. What I want will not wait for someone else to deliver it to me."
Gu Jinghui plucked a leaf, fiddled with it in his hand, and stared intently at the window of the main room with his narrow eyes.
The window screen reflected swaying shadows.
Hongye asked, "Could it be that even in this state, the Sixth Madam still has the face to manage the household affairs?"
Qin Yuan scoffed and said, "You've all been by my side today, haven't you seen how the Xu family behaved?"
Qin Yuan said, "What you say is true, even with Zhang Lunmei making such a fuss, there are still only seven or eight women in charge who have asked you to contribute money today."
I had completely forgotten that my first wife is known to be vengeful. Even when Gu Baozhu offended you, you would have found a way to deal with her. How could you have tolerated her for so long?
Zhang Lunmei thought for a moment and said, "These are extraordinary times, so we must do extraordinary things first. He should just give the order and tell Zhang Lunmei and Steward Han so that we can also know and follow it."
Hongye said to the ground, "You're already locked out of the courtyard, why don't you give up? You should settle the score quickly."
Lord Gu thought that although his first wife was old and usually acted as soft and gentle as a cat, her claws and teeth were as sharp as a cat's, and she could hurt people when she scratched them.
Although it was a time of relative calm, receiving the reward was a great honor.
This is indeed a problem.
Zhang Lun said, "Is this because Madam Eight is angry that she sent Sister Zhen to Yuyuantan?"
Zhang Lun got up and walked to the table, clearly also helping to look at the account books.
It's clear that Madam Gu and Zhen'er have already caused you a lot of trouble. Today, I learned that Zhen'er went to Yuyuantan Park because of your cousin, and Gu Jinghui has caused another little disturbance. Are you going to endure it or not?
Although she knew that the Marquis had won Zhang Lunmei's heart, she was surprised to learn that he had won her heart in such a way.
Lord Gu angrily crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it aside, saying impatiently, "What is he laughing at? Does he think that's bad writing? First of all, he'll be caught red-handed by these civil officials for something as trivial as smallpox..."
Gu Shiba said with a smile, "Then let's go. Does Cuiming know how to write?"
Accountant Sun's pen trembled, and he wrote a line incorrectly.
When he looked up, he found Gu Shiba still standing by the desk. Butler Cao said angrily, "Why is he still standing there? What is he doing?"
Zhang Lun continued, “Although you sympathize with Zhen’er’s situation, you can’t tolerate any wrongdoing. All those troubles were brought about by you seven aunts and nieces. If you had taken advantage of that time to firmly control the household affairs, you would have been doing a great favor to God.”
Xu's daughter was raised by the Xu family.
Hongye clapped her hands and said, "You knew it! Your eldest sister is the kind of person who retaliates in kind. If you've offended her, you're just asking for death."
Gu Shiba took two steps closer, appearing wholeheartedly concerned for Cuiming's well-being, and raised his voice, saying, "Zhang Lun, have you forgotten that Madam's talent is quite low? Her poems and essays are all just talk. Why is Cuiming asking Madam to help her write them?"
Butler Cao, his expression fierce, grunted and said, "Seeing Madam is like seeing you."
Gu Shiba chuckled and took a step forward, leaning forward and flatteringly saying, "Madam, once you marry into the Marquis's mansion, you're bound to Cuiming, aren't you? That concerns the future of the Marquis's mansion; if Madam knew, would she stand idly by? Cuiming clearly knows that Madam's heart belongs entirely to Cuiming..."
Upon hearing that, Gu Shiba immediately replied, "Yes."
Then came the clattering sound of an abacus.
In the end, I put down the pen and sighed, a strange sense of helplessness showing beneath my indifferent face.
Steward Cao stood there blankly for a while, then quickly walked out of Wutong Garden, returned to the inner courtyard, and summoned Gu Shiba, saying, "Quickly take stock of the number of people in the mansion, and assign the capable people to guard the mansion. Tomorrow you must submit a memorial to request to be granted the title of 'Mansion Owner.' Daily purchases will proceed as usual, and unauthorized personnel are allowed to enter and exit. Before compiling the register, give a copy to Madam, and you will be in charge of the mansion. If you do not act in accordance with the rules, you will be subject to Madam's judgment."
Gu Shiba was also all smiles.
Hongye seemed stumped, and the room fell silent for a moment.
The Xu family looked over with a smile, and seeing that Accountant Sun was in a daze, they coughed heavily and called out, "Accountant Sun, hurry up, the eighteen brothers are busy with minor matters, don't let him be delayed."
The Marquis said, "Yes, yes."
Zhang Lunmei asked, "What did Shiba do with the reward money?"
Sun, the accountant, reluctantly composed himself and began to keep accounts for Gu Shiba.
Qin Yuan couldn't help but laugh out loud, followed by Hongye's whimpering and pleading, "Big sister, big sister, I was wrong, did I say something bad again?"
Zhang Lunmei was stunned.
Those words immediately brightened Steward Cao's face. He touched the corner of his lips and smiled, "Yes, he's absolutely right. Once you're done, go to the accounting office and collect your reward of seventy taels of silver."
The Marquis said, "Not at all."
Gu Shiba's face was beaming with joy. He walked over to the two stewards, relayed Steward Cao's order, and then said to Accountant Sun, "Accountant Sun, Zhang Lun said you did a good job and wants you to come and collect the seventy taels of silver reward yourself. He'll put it in the books and give you a silver note."
Gu Shiba secretly guessed that during the time he was there, Steward Cao and Madam had taken a step back from each other.
Lord Gu threw the crumpled leaves on the ground and shook his head with a wry smile.
Hongye asked, "Is it because of Gu Jinghui's disturbance today, elder sister?"
Butler Cao glared at him, his face full of impatience: "..."
Gu Shiba glanced at Zhang Lunmei's expression and stammered, "Does the inner courtyard also fall under Madam's jurisdiction?"
If the Xu family can do it, why can't the Sixth Madam do it?
Gu Shiba was startled and said, "Does that mean the power of the entire household will be handed over to Madam?"
Gu Shibaihao knew this and said, "Of course, we bought pepper as part of your wife's share. That's all your savings for your wife."
Having given his instructions, Steward Cao disregarded the turmoil in Gu Shiba's heart. He unfolded a letter as if he wanted to write something, but when he picked up the pen, he put it down again.
Just as Gu Jinghui was about to emerge from the shadows, he heard Qin Yuan say again, "I originally wanted to take it slow, let Mother see my abilities first, and then let her feel at ease handing over the management of the household to me. But now I've changed my mind. I can't wait any longer. This outbreak of smallpox in the mansion is my opportunity. Once I find out her mistakes, no matter who makes trouble or who pleads for her, the management of the household will surely be in your hands."
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