How one deals with subordinates can truly reflect a person's magnanimity and ability.
Gu Jinghui was curious about what choice his young wife would make.
Should we pick it up hard and put it down lightly, or punish it severely, or should we settle things peacefully and play dumb?
Qin Yuan said, "I have already said that if she has any connection with the Sixth Madam, it is none of my business. If the water is too clear, there will be no fish. As long as she follows the path roughly, I do not intend to investigate further."
"But she dared to bully me today, so I need to give her a good talking-to, lest people think I'm clueless."
Cuiming asked, "Does Miss intend to thoroughly investigate Mama Lu's accounts and make an example of her?"
Qin Yuan said, "Yes and no."
Hongye was somewhat confused: "What does this mean?"
Qin Yuan said, "My original intention was not to take care of these mothers."
Cuiming understood: "Miss intends to manage the household affairs."
"Yes, I intend to manage the household affairs, so I can't be soft-hearted, but I also can't make too many enemies. Whether she jumped out because she didn't do things properly or was instigated by someone, if I let her off lightly, wouldn't that let others know that I'm easy to mess with? But I can't be too harsh on her either."
"Instigated by someone?" Hongye asked. "Could it be the Sixth Madam?"
Qin Yuan said, "Whoever is full of clever schemes and wants to stir up trouble is the one who is it."
From the moment she married into the Marquis's mansion, Madam Gu Liu never had a moment's peace.
If she hadn't been calm and prepared, she probably would have been agitated and developed a grudge against Gu Jinghui.
Now, Madam Gu is constantly showing weakness and trying to please her, implying that she should have a child as soon as possible to secure her position as the Marquis's wife. She is really going to great lengths to achieve this.
Cui Ming sighed, "The Marquis's mansion is truly a den of dragons and tigers, far more complicated than the Qin family."
Upon hearing this, Gu Jinghui, who was in the side room, clenched his fists tightly.
If we're talking about simplicity, isn't it even simpler for the Lin family, which only has a widowed mother?
Then he heard Qin Yuan laugh and say, "The Cui family of Qinghe is a prestigious family, and Father is the chief priest. Naturally, he must strictly adhere to the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, and not allow the illegitimate sons and daughters to cause trouble. He also dares not show favoritism or special treatment to his concubine. Mother has put a lot of thought into this."
"My mother handled all of my father's official dealings and the visits of relatives. The Qin family was poor, and my father's salary was not high. If it weren't for my mother's planning, things would have been very difficult."
Hongye said, "This servant thought that Miss would have some complaints about the Madam."
Qin Yuan said, "As a concubine's daughter, it is difficult to survive, so naturally I am dissatisfied with my stepmother's deliberate suppression. But as the mistress of the house, I can understand the hardships my stepmother has endured. It's just because of our different statuses."
The more Gu Jinghui listened to Qin Yuan speak, the more he felt that he had married a treasure.
Although the maid Hongye was quick-tongued and often rude and annoying, she wasn't wrong.
His young wife is a sensible person, unlike others.
Qin Yuan continued, "As Su Shi once said, 'Life is like a journey, and I am but a traveler.' There is no place where everything is perfect, but my mother's kindness to me surpasses countless others. Most women in the world have to serve their mothers-in-law for most of their lives after marriage. There are quite a few women who are disliked by their mothers-in-law and are tormented to death. My mother never lets me set any rules, and because of the Marquis, she is always afraid that I will be wronged. What more could I ask for?"
Gu Jinghui breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Cuiming chuckled and said, "Miss didn't marry a marquis, she married the old lady."
Qin Yuan laughed happily.
Cui Ming was only half right; she didn't marry a marquis, she married into the marquis's household.
Voices and exclamations could be heard outside the courtyard again.
Hongye asked in surprise, "What's going on now?"
Qin Yuan said, "I'm afraid it's the Sixth Madam who has arrived."
Gu Jinghui listened carefully and indeed heard the voice of Madam Gu Liu.
Hongye said, "I'll go out and see if Miss guessed correctly this time."
No sooner had the words left her mouth than the curtain snapped shut, and she had already run out of the house and onto the veranda.
Inside the room, Cuiming asked, "Miss, is the Sixth Madam perhaps here for the people from Fengxuan Pavilion?"
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "I originally felt sorry for that girl standing in the sun and wanted to remind the Marquis that it would be better to have him say it himself to put an end to her thoughts and avoid other troubles. But I was afraid that the Marquis would feel uncomfortable, so I kept quiet. Who would have thought that this would attract such a big shot?"
Gu Jinghui's gaze was deep and somber.
A short while later, Hongye returned, followed by Madam Gu and several stewardesses, and the corridor immediately became more lively.
Before Madam Gu even entered, she was already outside the window, smiling, asking, "Third Sister-in-law, do you have a moment?"
Qin Yuan came out to greet her and said, "Sixth sister-in-law, you must have something good to tell me even if you don't have time."
Madam Gu said, "Third Sister-in-law is indeed incredibly insightful."
Cuiming and Hongye couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Qin Yuan also smiled.
Madam Gu, unaware of what the mistress and servants were laughing about, joined in the laughter.
Hongye led the way, and the group entered the hall. Cuiming busied herself arranging for tea to be served.
The several matrons in charge stood to the side with smiles on their faces, much more respectful than before.
Before the order of precedence was established and people were seated, Madam Gu said, "I just received the news and came here as soon as possible. The manager of my dowry shop heard that someone wants to sell a large quantity of pepper. I wonder if Third Sister-in-law is interested?"
Qin Yuan invited Madam Gu to sit down before saying, "Of course I'm interested. I've also sent people to inquire around, and the Marquis has sent Seventeen to ask about prices. We should get a reply in the next few days. We'll compare prices from different vendors, and if the price is right, we can make a purchase."
Madam Gu smiled and said, "Of course, I also contributed some money. How could we not compare prices from different vendors? We should compare."
Qin Yuan thanked him, and the two chatted for a few minutes. Then Madam Gu said, "So Third Brother was also asking around for Third Sister-in-law. Third Brother never cared about these things before. I thought Third Brother was clueless about worldly affairs."
Qin Yuan smiled.
Gu Jinghui was talking about pepper in the main room, which didn't seem like someone who was clueless about everyday affairs.
She carefully said, "Perhaps the Marquis saw that I had received a lot of silver and kept account books, and was afraid that I would not be able to do the job well and would damage his prestige, so he thought of a way to help me."
It said everything, yet it was as if it said nothing at all.
Madam Gu sighed and said, "Third Brother is just being doting on his wife. My Sixth Master only cares about having fun outside and doesn't care about anything at home. Everything, inside and outside the house, is piled on me. Don't laugh at me, but ever since I had my child, my energy has been much less than before. I don't have three heads and six arms, so how can I manage? For us women, the most important thing is the child. Once you have a child, your husband comes second."
The conversation was implying that he was talking about having children again.
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Sixth sister-in-law, the capable should do more."
Seeing that she had nothing more to say, Madam Gu said, "I also brought a few stewardesses with me. They heard that Sixth Sister-in-law is going to do pepper business, and they all want to contribute and get rich together. I think they work hard in their daily work, getting up early and returning late. If we get rich, we'll include them too. They'll remember Third Sister-in-law's kindness in the future."
Qin Yuan said seriously, "Sixth sister-in-law, you are mistaken."
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