Qin Yuan said, "If Sixth Brother doesn't want to disturb Sixth Sister-in-law and wants her to focus on her recovery, then this matter should never be mentioned again. Also, have someone tell Sixth Sister-in-law that the money has been recovered. While Sixth Sister-in-law is still alive, continue to get along well with the Xu family."
Sixth Master Gu stared blankly and said, "Although I'm furious, I really can't bring myself to do something that would make her die of anger, for the sake of the child."
Qin Yuan said, "Sixth Brother, you can either pay this debt out of your own pocket or ask the Xu family for it. It all depends on what you think. We can only help you if you've thought it through."
In short, this debt all came from Madam Six's private savings.
Although this secret stash of money was very likely plundered from the Marquis's mansion, the Gu brothers clearly did not want to pursue the matter any further.
To prevent the Sixth Madam from feeling depressed, the deficit still needs to be covered with real money.
But who will pay for it should be stated openly.
Sixth Master Gu's lips trembled slightly as he asked, "Is it that twenty-seven thousand taels of silver?"
Qin Yuan nodded.
Sixth Master Gu gasped.
Gu Jinghui couldn't help but say, "Your third sister-in-law said that the price of pepper will still go up in the future, but either we have to get the money back at a discounted price, or we have to get the pepper back. Otherwise, we can just say that the Xu family took away this private money. There has to be an explanation. We can't leave things in such a muddled state."
Sixth Master Gu was so angry he was about to faint. He hurriedly cried out, "Good Third Brother, please help me up, I'm about to faint from anger."
Qin Yuan had no choice but to say, "You should pinch your philtrum with your fingernails first, otherwise if your third brother pinches it, it might swell up and disfigure you."
Upon hearing this, Master Gu mustered his strength and pinched his philtrum.
Gu Jinghui helped him up with a look of disdain and asked, "What exactly are you planning to do? The guests are still waiting, and your third sister-in-law and I can't stay too long."
Sixth Master Gu said, "What else can I do? I can't let the Xu family get away with this. What kind of daughter did the Xu family raise? She's not behaving properly in the Marquis's mansion, and now they want to blame me. Why didn't they say anything when the Xu family got benefits from our Marquis's mansion? I really can't swallow this."
Master Gu felt like a fool, being manipulated and kneaded like dough by the Xu family, yet he dared not lash out because of his concerns.
One word: Frustrated.
Gu Jinghui said, "That old woman is still covering for Sixth Sister-in-law. How can she win against the Xu family? You should make it clear to her that your sister-in-law already knows that Sixth Sister-in-law secretly bought pepper through the Xu family. Tell her to explain herself as soon as possible. We also have evidence that the Xu family is lending money at exorbitant interest rates, and Sixth Sister-in-law is involved in it. She is a member of the Xu family."
If we were to put it that way, it would be tantamount to tearing away the last fig leaf from Madam Gu and the Xu family.
Gu Jinghui added, "After that, tell that old woman to keep this to herself. If Sixth Sister-in-law suffers any harm because of this, it will be her fault."
Qin Yuan said, "And the Xu family members too."
Gu Jinghui looked at Qin Yuan approvingly and nodded, saying, "Your sister-in-law is absolutely right."
Sixth Master Gu then perked up a bit and said, "Alright, Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law, you go and greet the guests first. I'll deal with them slowly here."
Gu Jinghui said, "If you can't get it done, come back to me."
Sixth Master Gu nodded heavily, his eyes red.
Gu Jinghui said, "I'm furious right now, and I get annoyed just looking at those three. You go in and deal with them yourself. I'll call Sixteen and Steward Han over to back you up."
He then whistled.
In no time at all, Gu Shiliu and Butler Han arrived.
Qin Yuan said, "I'll leave Hongye here. After I've finished dealing with things, I'll have her go find me directly in front."
Gu Shiliu said, "It would be better for Madam to have a head maidservant by her side."
Sixth Master Gu also said, "Third Sister-in-law, I've had Aunt Huang and her men guard Xu's side, so no one will dare to disturb her. You can rest assured and take Hongye over there."
Gu Jinghui nodded and said, "That's more like how a responsible person should act. Go ahead, we're leaving too."
Qin Yuan followed Lord Gu towards the front courtyard. The two remained silent the whole way. When they reached the fork in the road, Lord Gu said, "If Mother asks later, just say that I had something to discuss with you and that I was delayed for a while."
Qin Yuan responded.
Seeing that Lord Gu looked unhappy, Qin Yuan said, "Husband, don't be angry. Sixth Master can learn it slowly too."
Lord Gu said, "Look at him. I haven't been home all these years, and I don't know how he got along with the Xu family. He's suffered so much."
Seeing the look of disappointment on his face, Qin Yuan couldn't help but chuckle, her eyes crinkling as she said, "Now that you're back, the Xu family only managed to get some money before, so let's just consider it a loss to avoid further trouble."
Seeing her radiant smile, Lord Gu felt instantly relieved and couldn't help but sigh, "I'm truly lucky to have married such a wonderful person like you, unlike my sixth sister-in-law who always drags me down."
Qin Yuan's face flushed, and she spat, "Speak properly, why did you veer off into this again? Go to the front and keep the guests company, your father-in-law is waiting to test your poetry."
He finished speaking and gave a teasing laugh.
Lord Gu: "..."
The unyielding Lord Gu suddenly seemed to have thought of something and slowly said, "Don't always try to scare me with your father-in-law. I can also bring up Mr. Songshan to deal with him. Who knows, my father-in-law might even have to become sworn brothers with Mr. Songshan. What will you call me then?"
Qin Yuan snorted, ignored him, and turned to walk towards the garden.
Lord Gu, feeling smug again, smiled and walked towards the second gate. He had only taken a few steps when he heard Gu Shiba's voice from above, "Lord Gu, His Highness the Crown Prince and the Ninth Princess have arrived."
As she spoke, Gu Shiba floated down from the treetop.
Lord Gu stopped in his tracks, frowned, and asked, "What's going on? They weren't invited to today's banquet, so why did they show up uninvited?"
Gu Shiba remained silent.
Lord Gu had no choice but to rush to the front yard to greet the guests.
Gu Shiba also relayed the message to Qin Yuan, who was not far away.
Hongye couldn't help but ask, "What are Your Highness the Crown Prince and the Ninth Princess doing here?"
Qin Yuan frowned and said, "Who knows? You came uninvited. You could say it was on a whim, or you could say you wanted to befriend the Marquis."
Originally, the capital inspection was just the emperor's way of venting his anger for the crown prince. Now that the crown prince has done this again, it's as if he wants people to think that Marquis Gu is completely tied to the crown prince.
Hongye couldn't help but say, "Last time, the Seventh Princess and the Ninth Princess were not very kind to you, Miss. When the Seventh Princess enters the inner courtyard later, you must be careful in dealing with her."
Qin Yuan nodded and said nothing more.
When they arrived at the garden, they were greeted by a large group of people. The old lady, being of high rank and advanced age, did not bow, but the other women bowed in unison.
Qin Yuan quickly mingled inside and followed suit, bowing as well.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
