Gu Jinghui then fell silent.
Sixth Master Gu asked in surprise, "I have never seen a maid who knows martial arts by my mother's side in all these years."
Madam Gu said with some pride, "I knew you wouldn't guess. I am the daughter of a military hero. How could I not have someone who knows martial arts by my side? You see this person every day. It's Rong Momo."
Lord Gu looked surprised and turned to look at Granny Rong.
Rong Momo stepped forward with a smile, set up a door, and then slowly closed it. She said with a smile, "This old servant has been with the old lady since I was young. When I was a little older, I learned some martial arts from the martial arts master in the manor. Although my martial arts skills are not high, I can protect the old lady. Please rest assured, Lord Marquis."
"Mother, I never realized that Rong Momo was also a martial arts expert," Lord Gu exclaimed in surprise.
Rong Momo laughed and said, "This old servant doesn't practice any hard martial arts. I'm only good at some life-saving moves. They're not obvious in action, so if the Marquis isn't paying attention, he naturally won't notice."
Madam Gu said, "I'm just an old woman. When I go out to socialize, I only drink tea and chat with other old women of similar age. Once I leave the inner room, I have guards protecting me and Rong Mama to protect me. That's enough. All these years, everything has been fine. But Yuan'er needs more people around her."
Qin Yuan's eyes sparkled with admiration as she said, "Mother is so good to me."
Seeing this, Madam Gu was very pleased and said with a smile, "I'm old, how many people can I call on? Besides, those old women value their lives more than I do, and they all have people protecting them, so no one will have designs on us old women. You should accept it obediently and not refuse. Hui-ge'er is so thoughtful. I actually forgot about this and should have arranged it for you long ago."
Lord Gu felt a little awkward, coughed lightly, and turned to ask, "Have all the people been settled? I haven't seen them yet. What do Mother and Yuan'er think?"
Madam Gu said, "It's alright. It seems like she hasn't served anyone much before. I'm afraid she still needs Yuan'er to train her more."
"If they are useful, keep them. If they are not useful, send them back after Old Han has trained them."
Madam Gu nodded: "Your arrangement is the right one. It's more reassuring to have someone from the family."
Qin Yuan said, "Everything can be arranged by Mother and the Marquis. I think they are both quite clever. If Mother doesn't want it, it will be a good deal for me."
"Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, take them out a few more times to let them see the world."
Madam Gu gave detailed instructions.
Qin Yuan naturally agreed to all of them.
After the meal, everyone took their leave. Madam Gu said, "Third son, please stay. I have something to tell you."
Lord Gu stammered, "Mother, I'm a little tired today and want to go home and rest early. I'll come to talk to you again tomorrow, okay?"
Gu Baozhu smiled and took Qin Yuan's hand, saying, "Third Sister-in-law, shall I go to Wutong Garden to talk to you? My mother is going to scold my third brother, so I won't be able to go back for a while."
Sixth Master Gu scolded, "You talk too much."
Gu Baozhu snorted and said, "If you're not even willing to give your sister a painting, then don't put on airs like an older brother."
Sixth Master Gu had no way to deal with her and could only stare helplessly.
Qin Yuan found it somewhat amusing and said, "You mean to talk about the shareholding in the pepper purchase? Have you settled all the accounts?"
Gu Baozhu pulled the person out: "We've finally finished counting, and we found that quite a few pieces of jewelry are missing. One of the old women who has served me since I was a child is dishonest. She stole the jewelry to pawn for gambling. She's been losing too much lately, and the pawn ticket is due and she can't redeem it. When she saw me starting to count the jewelry and gold and silver, she was so scared that she confessed everything."
Qin Yuan followed her out.
Sixth Master Gu gave his third brother a look that said "good luck," and then followed him out.
Madam Gu then spoke: "Third son, why have you been so tired these days?"
Lord Gu looked exhausted and sighed, “The Emperor has assigned me such an important task as the Capital Inspection. The scholars in the Six Ministries have so many things to do, and the officials in the court are all trying to find ways to send notes. I have to send people to keep an eye on them, and I also have to deal with the princes and ministers who come to plead for me. I’m so tired.”
Madam Gu snorted coldly and said, "You traveled thousands of miles in the north, going without sleep for days and nights without getting tired, so why are you complaining of being tired now?"
Lord Gu was speechless.
Madam Gu continued, "Everyone says that once a man marries a wife, he forgets his mother. I never believed it, but seeing you like this now, I have no choice but to believe it. It's clear that your mother is getting old, and you've become impatient and unwilling to deal with me when I try to keep you here a little longer."
These words are extremely hurtful.
Lord Gu panicked and hurriedly said, "Mother, Mother, please spare your son."
"Your mother has spared you, but do you even think about sparing your mother?" Old Madam Gu said angrily, "So many days have passed, what exactly have you been asking about? You don't care at all, do you?"
Lord Gu was so anxious that he became incoherent, saying, "Mother, how could I not care? I have been inquiring about it. Mother, how could I not forgive you? I dare not accept such a statement."
Madam Gu said, "You deserve it. You know perfectly well that I am worried and sad about this matter, yet you haven't heard a word from me. Aren't you putting your old mother in a steamer and on the fire? If you want your mother to take back what she said, fine, then tell me everything in detail, without hiding anything."
Lord Gu insisted, "Sixteen sent people to inquire, but they found out nothing."
Madam Gu snorted coldly, "I know you think I'm too old and useless. Do you think you can get away with it by making excuses? Qiuju, hurry up and pack your things. We'll set off tomorrow. I'll go and find out for myself."
Having said that, he got up to leave.
"Mother, Mother, Mother," Lord Gu, unable to bear the pressure, knelt down in front of his mother with a thud, hugged her legs, and sobbed, "Mother, your son is not lying. We have not found out anything. The Mo family is all gone, and the old house is in ruins. The people around say that the Mo family's youngest daughter has been married for a long time. The old couple miss their daughter, so perhaps they have moved to live near their youngest daughter's husband's house."
Madam Gu exhaled a breath of stale air.
"Um... whether it's Mo Xiaoni or not, give me a straight answer today, don't try to dodge the question here."
"Mother, news from over there says the Mo family has all moved, and they're still searching carefully. They say..."
Lord Gu hesitated for a moment.
Old Madam Gu asked, "What is it you're talking about? Are you trying to drive me crazy?"
Lord Gu said, "It's said that the Mo family moved away after their daughter got married, and the old house is now abandoned. Perhaps Mo Xiaoni's parents couldn't bear to part with her and moved to live near her husband's family. As for that gold leaf, perhaps the fourth son accidentally lost it and someone else picked it up..."
"...Do you even believe what you're saying?"
Old Madam Gu spat at him.
Lord Gu lowered his head to wipe the saliva from his face and sighed, "Mother, it's been so long, what's the point of going to the Mo family now? Sister Mo has been married for so many years. If we suddenly go looking for her, it's impossible not to alert others. If her husband's family becomes suspicious, wouldn't we be harming them?"
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