Qin Yuan was somewhat confused and asked, "The concubines of the Yelü clan's hostage?"
Yelü Guzha had long harbored ill intentions towards the Marquis of Dingbei's residence, but outwardly they kept to themselves. Why then did he suddenly send his concubines to visit him?
Butler Cao was also puzzled: "Yes, she passed a message in from the gatehouse, saying that she had something to ask to see Madam, but she wouldn't say what it was, and she was dressed very ostentatiously."
This means that the other party did not come to pay respects to Lady Xu.
That would be even more interesting.
Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said to Hongye, "Go and invite Sixteen here."
Hongye hurriedly went out.
Qin Yuan then had someone bring a small stool for Steward Cao to sit on while he waited.
Steward Cao chatted leisurely: "Madam, the gatekeeper said that this woman has a thick, brightly colored foreign cloth wrapped around her head, obscuring her face so that her features are not visible. Her voice is rough and harsh. Is she here because of those Yelü people captured next door?"
Qin Yuan narrowed her eyes and replied, "That's hard to guess. I've been in the capital all this time, but I've never had any dealings with the Yelü clan. If they're here for these few Yelü clan members, they're really disrespecting our Marquis's mansion. Even if they're here to ask for the dog, it's not a good excuse. After all, the Marquis was almost assassinated on his way back. Doesn't that mean they're directly involved?"
Steward Cao said, "What you say is very true, Madam. This old servant is still wondering why the Yelü clan would come to arrest Young Master Cheng and Miss Yu."
Qin Yuan sighed, "I'm afraid only the Zhao family can explain this matter clearly."
Gu Shiliu rushed over, bowed, and said, "Madam, the Marquis already knows about this matter and has ordered me to send men to protect you. If you wish to see him, we will protect you the whole time; if not, we will simply refuse. The Marquis of Dingbei's residence and the hostage's residence have never had any dealings with each other."
Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Steward Cao, go and tell her that she is a concubine of the hostage residence, and I am the wife of the Marquis of Dingbei. We have never had any dealings, and it would be unreasonable for me to see her. If there is no reason, I will not see her."
Steward Cao responded and went out to deliver the message.
Qin Yuan asked Gu Shiliu, "Did those Yelü clan members find out anything during their interrogation?"
Gu Shiliu shook his head and said, "He's being stubborn."
Qin Yuan then asked, "What about the people around Brother Cheng?"
Gu Shiliu said, "The Marquis said to keep her. It was just a coincidence today. After the assassination attempt, the Marquis felt something was wrong. He climbed out of the back door of Renhe Hall, stepped on the roof ridge, and went directly to Master Cheng's house. He happened to run into the Yelü clan setting fire and caught them red-handed. I'm afraid she still thinks it was just a coincidence that the Marquis caught her."
Qin Yuan nodded.
Gu Shiliu added, "On the way back on the 18th, we were blocked several times. The Yelü clan wanted to keep the Marquis occupied. We were busy with matters at the manor and couldn't attend to the neighbors next door, so we took them away. Fortunately, the Marquis was wise."
Qin Yuan asked curiously, "Haven't you received any news from your side?"
Gu Shiliu chuckled and said, "Old Lady Qi sent word a while ago that there was something unusual going on and that we should keep a close eye on things these next few days. But no one expected that they would target the Marquis."
Clearly, Old Lady Qi only knew about this side of the news.
Gu Shiliu had also made preparations, but Lord Gu was even faster.
Qin Yuan also smiled.
Gu Shiliu is indeed quite clever and knows how to speak and handle things, no wonder Hongye has secretly developed feelings for him.
Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Then let Old Madam Qi continue to recuperate at Master Cheng's house... Is there anything unusual about Young Master Cheng and Miss Yu?"
Gu Shiliu said, "Xiao Hong and Zi He haven't sent any messages yet, so we'll keep an eye on things for a few more days."
Qin Yuan nodded.
Then he chatted with Gu Shiliu about some trivial family matters.
After waiting for a while, Steward Cao returned and said, "That woman won't leave. She says it concerns the Seventh Miss. If we don't see her soon, it might be bad for the Seventh Miss."
"Seventh Miss?"
Qin Yuan and Gu Shiliu were both taken aback.
Hongye hurriedly replied, "I have indeed not seen Miss Seven today."
After being scolded by Old Madam Gu, Gu Baozhu did not go to the front to help for the time being. Moreover, the funeral was coming to an end in the past few days, and no one came to pay their respects, so Qin Yuan did not pay much attention to it.
Qin Yuan frowned, and Hongye said, "This servant will take people to find the Seventh Miss right away."
Gu Shiliu quickly stopped Hongye.
"Too slow, I'll go."
Before he finished speaking, he left the house and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Butler Cao hurriedly asked, "Madam, would you like to invite them in for a talk?"
Qin Yuan was also a little anxious, so she said, "Go and tell the Marquis first, ask him if he wants to see her in the front hall? I'll go to the front hall right away."
Steward Cao went off to attend to his business, and Qin Yuan hurriedly led her maids to the front hall. Just as they arrived, Gu Shiliu also rushed over.
Gu Shiliu's breathing was a little unsteady, and his face showed anxiety: "Seventh Miss has gone out."
Gu Jinghui stamped his foot and said, "What time is it? There are still things to do in the manor. Why did she run out again? She really doesn't know any better. What trouble has she caused outside this time? She must be given a good scolding when she gets back!"
Sixth Master Gu sat silently without making a sound.
Qin Yuan advised, "Since things have come to this, why not invite them in and ask them what's going on? But shouldn't you two brothers avoid this situation?"
Lord Gu nodded and said, "Alright, but you must be very careful. I have captured their people, and now Yelü Guzha has sent a concubine to ask for a meeting. I don't know what she wants."
Without waiting for instructions, Gu Shiliu had already arranged for his guards to hide nearby.
Seeing that Lord Gu was anxious and agitated, Qin Yuan quickly coaxed him, "With you here, what do I have to worry about? Besides, she mentioned Seventh Sister, maybe she's planning to use Seventh Sister to exchange for someone else, so she's even less likely to hurt me."
Lord Gu then calmed down.
Sixth Master Gu suddenly spoke up, saying, "It's best to be careful. It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark."
Qin Yuan nodded and said, "Alright, you can all hide behind the screen. If she does anything wrong, the Marquis can protect me in time."
Lord Gu was relieved and hid behind the screen as instructed.
Sixth Master Gu also wanted to hide here: "I have never seen the beauties of the Yelü clan. If a painter wants to paint people well, he has to see all kinds of people. If Third Brother finds anything amiss later, I will just hide under this table and will not get in Third Brother's way."
Lord Gu had no choice but to comply.
Once everyone was ready, Steward Cao led the people in.
Qin Yuan sat at the head of the table. Before she could even see the person clearly, a rich fragrance wafted over, causing her to sneeze involuntarily.
She quickly covered her nose with a handkerchief and looked closely. She saw a slender woman wearing an exotic dress that revealed her arms and neck, but she was wearing a large, thick headscarf that covered her entire face.
The woman came in and stood straight by the door, neither walking in nor bowing nor speaking.
Qin Yuan then stood up and asked, "Are you the hostage's concubine? What urgent matter do you have to tell me?"
The woman nodded and whispered, "Madam, the Seventh Miss is playing polo with the Yelü family hostages because of your cousin. If we don't stop her in time, she might be in danger."
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