Manager Leng went to the main room first, met Old Madam Gu and Granny Rong, and heard a lot of praise about Qin Yuan's abilities, so he already knew her skills.
Seeing her humble words, he smiled and said, "Madam, you are too modest. I have heard that you have managed the Marquis's mansion like an iron barrel these days. The old lady said that the mansion is so peaceful thanks to you. As for the shop, you can rest assured. I have been as diligent as I have been in the past, and I will only be more diligent in the future. If you have any requests, just give them to me."
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "With your words, I feel relieved."
After chatting for a while, Manager Leng and Manager Wu took their leave together.
Manager Wu flattered and fawned over the entire journey, learning a great deal about business management.
He wasn't familiar with the Marquis's residence, so he followed Manager Leng. They were having a pleasant conversation when Manager Leng suddenly stopped, pulled him aside, and bowed deeply.
Shopkeeper Wu caught a glimpse of a group of people surrounding a handsome and refined young man as they walked past.
"This is?"
Manager Wu couldn't help but ask.
"This is His Highness Prince Qi, who must be here to visit the Marquis," Manager Leng explained. He continued, "We were supposed to leave through the side gate, and I was thinking of taking the opportunity to pay my respects to the Marquis and Sixth Master, but I didn't expect to run into them here. I suppose it's inconvenient for Sixth Master, so I won't go."
Manager Wu had been following him all along, so he followed him out of the Marquis's residence.
"I think I just saw Manager Leng from Ranxiangju. What's he doing in the Marquis's residence?"
As he walked past, the King of Qi tilted his head and asked the Marquis Gu who was there to greet him.
Lord Gu didn't take it seriously and said, "I suppose he's coming to pay his respects, or perhaps the lady has something to discuss with him."
The attendant of the King of Qi whispered, "Ranxiangju is a property of the Marquis's mansion. After the Marquis's mansion is opened to the public, Manager Leng will probably come to discuss the matter of the shop."
King Qi was surprised: "So Ranxiangju is your property, Third Brother."
Lord Gu said, "I don't usually concern myself with these matters, but now they are all under the care of my wife. Manager Leng is the son-in-law of the old nanny who serves my mother, and he often comes to the mansion."
The Prince of Qi was quite surprised. Lord Gu was usually cold and aloof, and he always addressed the Old Madam Gu as "Mother" in public. Now, he was actually calling her "Mother."
The two entered the outer courtyard hall while talking and sat down as host and guest.
When Master Gu received the news, he also came to pay his respects to Prince Qi. After sitting for a while, he left, leaving the two of them to talk alone.
After the servant brought tea, seasonal fruits, and snacks, he withdrew outside the door to stand guard with the King of Qi's guards.
After exchanging a few brief pleasantries with Gu Jinghui, the Prince of Qi asked, "Third Brother, do you know why I've come to see you?"
Gu Jinghui, his face expressionless, asked, "Why?"
He didn't want to get involved with the King of Qi, but the wicked King of Qi wouldn't let him go.
There was no way to avoid it, and it's not that I didn't have grievances in my heart.
King Qi laughed and said, "Third brother, don't worry. I'm here today, and the other brothers will come another day."
"oh?"
Gu Jinghui was somewhat surprised.
King Qi picked up the teacup, gently lifted the lid, glanced at the tea leaves in the cup, and said lightly, "Good tea, but I don't know how to brew it. Third Brother, you are really too rough these days."
Gu Jinghui said irritably, "In the northern frontier, I often have to eat dry rations with snow water. I don't drink tea even if there's wine. I'm not as refined as I was back in the capital. Unlike you, who sit comfortably in your mansions and have time to be particular about these things."
King Qi put down his teacup and sighed.
"Back then, Third Brother was the most outstanding of the Four Gentlemen in the capital, the ideal young man in the eyes of countless young ladies."
With just a simple sentence, Gu Jinghui raised his eyebrows and said coldly, "Is this what Your Highness Qi came here to say to me? It's too far in the past, and I don't want to mention it at all."
Mentioning the past is a heavy topic.
That past buried his youthful spirit, buried his many unspeakable struggles, and buried the blood and tears of so many people in his family.
To make him feel at peace, we must repay him with blood and tears.
The King of Qi said good-naturedly, "I was just echoing my third brother's words and expressing my feelings. My sister talks about you every day. I was thinking that when you returned from guarding the northern frontier for so many years, you had a full beard and your features were unrecognizable. Now that you're married and have shaved your face, you look like you used to be when you were a study companion in the palace, only more mature and composed. You're still a handsome young man who is very attractive."
Lord Gu snorted with a snort.
Prince Qi said, "This time, Father Emperor kept Third Brother's memorial unissued, only saying that with Third Brother, the dynasty will be forever secure. He is also very dissatisfied with the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers because of the Crown Prince's marriage. These days, he has been frequently finding fault in the court and has also said that he will conduct a capital inspection. Does Third Brother know who Father Emperor has chosen to be in charge of this capital inspection?"
Only then did Lord Gu realize the reason for the Emperor's anger. He understood and said, "I don't know."
King Qi laughed and said, "It's my third brother."
Lord Gu laughed and said, "Nonsense, don't talk nonsense. How could it be me? I am a military general, and I have been away from the court for so many years. I have only been back in the capital for a short time. I spend most of my free time in the camp."
"If you want to know what's written in my memorial, it's just about recent events in the manor, and that I've also submitted the purchased epidemic prevention formula. Believe it or not, the Emperor will release this memorial sooner or later, and you'll know when you see the official gazette. Many people have asked me this question these days, and that's how I've always answered."
King Qi chuckled and said, "What are you saying, Third Brother? How could I not believe you? Have you ever thought that it is precisely because you have been away from the court for many years and are a military general that Father Emperor has taken a liking to you?"
Gu Jinghui was greatly shocked and said, "How would I know about the affairs of civil officials? Shouldn't this be the responsibility of the Censorate and the Ministry of Personnel?"
King Qi said, "Perhaps this is what puts my father at ease."
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