Hongye said, "This was sent by Gu Shiliu; it was painted by the Marquis."
"oh?"
Cui Ming stared intently at it.
A fat horse with plump wings; if it weren't for its head and hooves, it would look like a fat old hen.
"……This is……"
Cui Ming was completely baffled and looked up at the red leaves.
Hongye turned around and held out a cup of honey water, saying, "Miss knows you're tired and is worried you'll get a sore throat. Drink this instead."
Cui Ming took it and drank it all in one gulp.
I couldn't help but ask, "What is this for?"
The tiny Pegasus only occupies a corner of the paper, making it look less like a painting.
Hongye whispered, "It has nothing to do with you. This is the emblem that the Marquis asked Miss to embroider on her clothes."
Cui Ming was very puzzled.
"...Why...why bother..."
It's not good-looking at all.
Why embroider this on your clothes? If someone sees it and asks about it, won't that ruin your reputation?
Moreover, having both horses and wings is a lot of work.
Qin Yuan had finished washing up and came out to listen to the sermon. She said, "The Marquis just had a sudden whim. Let's leave it there. I'll ask him about it after the funeral is over."
Cui Ming nodded emphatically.
Even experienced embroiderers in needlework workshops wouldn't want to embroider this, let alone a young lady; it's utterly inexplicable.
In the following days, the Gu family members all came to offer their condolences, and the Xu family also came every day, as if they did not intend to antagonize each other.
Manager Qian then asked Steward Han, "The Xu family father and son are coming so attentively, are they not going to cause trouble?"
Butler Han said, "Who knows what they're up to? Maybe they're planning to cause trouble in public after announcing the death. Anyway, we should be prepared. I don't think Sixth Master intends to drop the case."
They have no intention of dropping the case, which means that regardless of whether the Xu family files another lawsuit, the Marquis's mansion will pursue the matter.
Manager Qian responded, saying, "I also think we shouldn't let them go. Although we should let the Sixth Madam rest in peace, if we don't pursue this matter, wouldn't that encourage the Xu family's bad habits? They might cause trouble when the Sixth Master marries a new wife in the future, and there's also the matter of the young master and young lady."
There are many entanglements involved.
The Xu family can hardly be considered a good in-law family.
Butler Han remained silent.
Lord Xu was so thick-skinned that he didn't seem to care, while Madam Xu was restless and uneasy in the inner quarters.
Sixth Master Gu and Qin Yuan treated them indifferently, politely but not warmly.
They were the hosts, so they only met briefly before going about their other business. The others didn't say a word, and Madam Xu could only sit there and listen to the gossip.
Madam Gu's children also kept their distance from her, but Lord Xu brought his son and, being thick-skinned, was more at ease.
Since the official funeral was the next day, relatives, friends, colleagues, and even distant relatives all came to pay their respects. Everyone dispersed early, but Lord Xu stayed behind and, finding an opportunity, stopped Sixth Master Gu in a corner to have a chat.
"Brother-in-law, I've treated you fairly well, haven't I?"
Sixth Master Gu took a half step back, his peach blossom eyes widening, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, and asked coldly, "I wonder what you mean, brother-in-law?"
He wanted to see what kind of face the Xu family, who had taken advantage of the Marquis's mansion and then made false accusations, had to say such things.
Ignoring his coldness, Lord Xu smiled and leaned closer to whisper, "If I hadn't brought it up in public that day, how could my brother-in-law have obtained an official position? The Marquis's mansion is not short of money or connections. Over the years, if they had been so willing, they should have bought an official position for my brother-in-law long ago. But since my brother-in-law is an illegitimate son, no matter how much the Marquis takes care of you, how much effort can he put in?"
Sixth Master Gu remained silent, only staring coldly at Lord Xu.
Lord Xu continued, “My sister has amassed quite a fortune since marrying into the Marquis’s household, but she has also done her part for you. I’m only doing this for you because of my sister and nephews. Now, your third sister-in-law controls everything in the Marquis’s household, unlike when my sister was in charge of the inner quarters. You should keep this large family business in mind. As the saying goes, a hero needs three helpers, and a fence needs three posts. If you’re willing, the Xu family will help you.”
Sixth Master Gu sneered, "Have you taken the wrong medicine or drunk too much? Does my third brother not want to have children anymore?"
Lord Xu laughed smugly, "What are you pretending for? It's already spread that the Marquis injured his manhood while fighting in the north, which may hinder his ability to have children. You know that weapons are indiscriminate; once they're damaged, even Hua Tuo reincarnated couldn't help. You are the Marquis's closest blood relative, so if there's to be an adoption, it should naturally be your son. You already have two legitimate sons, so one of them should be given to you."
Master Gu was both shocked and furious.
"Stop talking nonsense! My third brother is perfectly healthy. Who spread these rumors?"
Lord Xu sneered and said, "There's no smoke without fire. You can't cover it up no matter what."
"Bullshit! Utter nonsense!"
The usually gentle and mild-mannered Sixth Master Gu was enraged, his whole body trembling with anger.
Lord Xu said, "Who are you trying to hide it from? Has there been any news about your third sister-in-law yet? If your third brother were capable, your third sister-in-law would have made a move long ago."
Master Gu said angrily, "You shameless scoundrel, what nonsense are you spouting here? If it weren't for the kindness you showed to Madam Xu, I would have had you all thrown out long ago."
Lord Xu was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly realized, "You didn't know anything? That's understandable. I saw that Chancellor Qin was quite satisfied with Marquis Gu, so he must have been kept in the dark. To tell you the truth, the Marquis consulted the Imperial Physician, and this news has even reached the palace." He paused, then lowered his voice, "You also know that our Xu family has a daughter in the Prince of Jin's residence. His Highness the Prince of Jin found out, so naturally we found out too."
As Master Gu listened to his detailed and seemingly plausible account, he became suspicious and his expression kept changing.
Seeing this, Lord Xu added fuel to the fire, saying, "If you remarry and have another son in the future, he will not be as noble as the son of your first wife. I think the future Marquis's mansion will belong to either Kang Ge'er or Fu Ge'er. You have never been involved in affairs, and I'm afraid you won't be able to stand up for your third brother and sister-in-law. I am the children's uncle, how could I possibly harm them?"
Master Gu said angrily, "You bastards, is it any of the Xu family's business to interfere in the affairs of our Dingbei Marquis's mansion?"
His voice became shrill and piercing.
Lord Xu stepped back a few paces and said, "Alright, alright, I won't say anything more. And don't shout, it won't be good if your third brother hears. If you don't believe me now, just find someone to go out and ask around, and you'll know whether it's true or not. Then you can come find me again. We're related by marriage, why make things unpleasant over a little money? Don't you think so?"
"Get out! I told you to get out! If you keep spouting nonsense here, don't expect me to call my third brother to deal with you," Sixth Master Gu yelled in despair.
Lord Xu rolled his eyes, turned around and hurriedly walked out. His two sons, who were waiting outside, saw him come out and quickly surrounded him, asking, "Father, was Uncle persuaded?"
“That idiot is a moron. He doesn’t believe me now, but we’ll see if I’m telling the truth in a few days,” Lord Xu spat and said. “Look at how crazy he is. If I hadn’t run fast, he would have come and hit me.”
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