When guests arrive, there is no reason not to receive them.
Suppressing his annoyance, Steward Han forced a smile and led the large group of Xu family members into the front hall. He told the maids and servants to quickly serve tea, then quietly went out and called an old woman to deliver a message to the main room: "Today is the first day of the establishment of the mansion. Apart from Madam Gu and Miss Gu, the masters should all be in the main room. Go and come back quickly. If you can't find the Marquis, you can find Madam Gu instead."
After washing up in the morning, Qin Yuan brought Hongye and Cuiming to the main room to serve Old Madam Gu.
"Mother, put on this false hairpin and use this hairpin to make your face look fair and spirited. This is a fashionable style that has recently come from the south."
Qin Yuan stood beside the dressing table, holding a hairpin with the design of a magpie on a golden branch, gesturing to Old Madam Gu's temple.
The maidservant combing her hair smiled and said, "Madam has excellent taste. Adding padding to the hair bun makes the hair look fuller, and the hairpins can be inserted more securely."
Madam Gu looked at herself in the mirror, quite satisfied, and smiled, "Then let's do it this way."
Then she sighed, "As I get older, my hair is thinning, and I have to rely on wigs to keep it in place."
Qin Yuan quickly chimed in, "Mother, you say you have little hair? I've used several different kinds of hair products on my head."
Just as she was about to point it out to Old Madam Gu, Rong Mama lifted the curtain and came in, saying, "The Marquis and the Sixth Master have arrived and are waiting in the outer room."
Madam Gu turned her head and asked, "Why did they both come together?"
Rong Momo said, "The two masters were drinking in the outer courtyard last night and didn't come back to the inner courtyard, so they came together."
Madam Gu frowned upon hearing this.
"Sixth brother is fine, but what's wrong with Hui-ge? If this keeps up, when will I ever be able to hold my grandson? It's true what they say, 'The son is not a worry, but the old mother is.'"
Qin Yuan blushed immediately and lowered her head to explain, "I was busy yesterday and didn't have time to send the Smallpox Goddess off. I suppose that's what the Marquis was thinking about."
After the smallpox goddess was sent away, she had to fast for three days, during which time she could not have sex. Although Madam Gu was anxious, there was nothing she could do.
"They're all outside, so let's go out."
Qin Yuan followed behind Old Madam Gu to the outer room, where Qiu Ju and the others had already set out breakfast. After exchanging greetings, the group sat down to eat.
Cheng Ge'er and Yu Jie'er were not brought out as usual, and Zi He and Xiao Hong were not there to serve them either. Qin Yuan had something to ask, so she gave up.
Halfway through breakfast, a maidservant outside in the corridor said, "Steward Han has sent someone to deliver a message, saying that the Marquis and his wife should be informed."
Cui Ming went out, and when she returned, her face looked rather pale.
Qin Yuan asked, "What is it?"
Cui Ming said angrily, "The Xu family sent more than a dozen people, and they are now sitting in the front hall drinking tea."
Both Old Madam Gu and Sixth Master Gu put down their chopsticks, their faces grim.
"They came really fast, they didn't want to wait a moment longer."
Gu Jinghui picked up a piece of pickled cucumber with his chopsticks and chewed it vigorously.
Qin Yuan said, "Let Steward Han treat them well. Of all things, food is the most important. Even the emperor doesn't starve his soldiers. They should finish their meal first. If the Xu family arrived early and haven't eaten much, have the kitchen prepare some snacks for them to fill their stomachs."
Cui Ming smiled and went out to reply.
Madam Gu said angrily, "How can this be allowed to continue? Do you have any ideas? I don't even know where Zhen'er has gone. Just thinking about it gives me a headache."
Qin Yuan said, "Mother, please eat in peace. We are related to the Xu family by marriage. Even if something happens, it won't turn us into enemies. When we, the little minions, can't handle it, we'll ask you, Mother, to step in."
Madam Gu couldn't help but laugh.
"My daughter-in-law knows how to sweet-talk people. Look at my two blockhead sons, what good are they?"
Gu Jinghui said, "Mother, I've eaten. My greatest use is to marry a wife to take care of you."
Madam Gu said, "It's best if you know."
Sixth Master Gu: "..."
So even this usefulness of his was discounted.
After Qin Yuan and the others had eaten and drunk tea, it was nearly an hour before they arrived at the front hall.
The Xu family members who came included men and women, young and old. Some sat, some stood, some crossed their arms, and some looked up and cursed. The front hall was noisy, just like a bustling marketplace.
Butler Han's face was blank, as if only his body remained there to keep him company, clearly indicating that he had been tormented quite a bit.
When they saw the three of them arrive, they were as if they had seen saviors.
Lord Xu stood up, his face dark, and pointed at Marquis Gu, shouting, "The Marquis's family is truly well-mannered. We have been sitting here for an hour, and it is clear that the Marquis's family is bullying us and does not respect the Xu family at all. No wonder they have done such a wicked thing."
Sixth Master Gu hurriedly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Brother-in-law, you came without prior notice or invitation. It's the first day in Kaifeng, and there are many miscellaneous matters to attend to. Please forgive any shortcomings."
Lord Xu ignored him and stared at Lord Gu, asking in a deep voice, "Lord Gu, shouldn't there be some resolution to my daughter's matter by now?"
“Yes, that’s right,” the Xu family members gathered around.
Qin Yuan involuntarily took two steps back, but fortunately, Lord Gu quickly spread his arms to protect her.
Lord Gu said calmly, "I've kept my brother-in-law waiting. There must be an explanation for Miss Xu's matter. Let's sit down and talk it over."
Lord Xu didn't dare to be too stiff, so he waved his hand to stop everyone and said, "Let's all take a step back and talk things out properly."
Qin Yuan was then helped to sit down by Lord Gu, and Sixth Master Gu also sat down next to her.
As soon as he sat down, before the maid could even serve tea, Lord Xu angrily asked, "I wonder if the Marquis's residence has been able to find my daughter these days?"
Sixth Master Gu said, "Brother-in-law, the Marquis's mansion was only opened today, so there aren't many people we can send out to search. We haven't found the Marquis's mansion yet, and we don't know if the government has any information about it."
Lord Xu sneered and said, "Don't try to shirk responsibility with such words. Once the government finds the person, do you think they won't come looking for the reward money? My daughter entered the Marquis's mansion and then disappeared. You said you would search everywhere, but now so much time has passed, I'm afraid she's gone. Now tell me what to do."
Gu Jinghui asked, "I wonder if the Xu family has inquired around and found any news?"
"none."
Gu Jinghui said, "Then we can only send more people to search around. Fortunately, the Marquis's residence has been opened. I will immediately send someone to urge the government."
Lord Xu stood up angrily and shouted, "Is this the explanation the Marquis gave us?"
The Xu family members also stood up and roared angrily.
"If the Marquis's mansion cannot give a satisfactory explanation, we will make a scene and let the people of the capital, the emperor and all the officials see what kind of family the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion is."
Several women cried out in a shrill and pitiful voice.
Master Gu frowned as the noise bothered him.
Gu Jinghui said, "The Xu family and the Gu family are related by marriage. We are naturally anxious because the Xu family's daughter went missing in my mansion. However, if the Xu family insists on making trouble and blames the Marquis's mansion for the disappearance of your daughter, I will not let them smear me."
"Who knows if my daughter was framed or went missing?" Lord Xu stared at Sixth Master Gu with a gloomy expression.
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