Qin Yuan found it strange and wanted to ask, but she was afraid of disturbing Lord Gu, so she got up and left the inner room. She walked to the door and asked softly, "Who is crying?"
The maidservant said somewhat awkwardly, "It's Sister Hongye."
"What's wrong?" Qin Yuan asked hurriedly. "Hurry up and drag her in. Never mind, just say I need to see her. I've asked her several times. Once you find her, tell her to come to the study to find me."
Qin Yuan didn't have to wait long before Hongye entered the study with red and swollen eyes, asking in a heavy, nasal voice, "Miss, what brings you here?"
"Come closer."
Hongye did as she was told and took a few steps closer.
Qin Yuan sighed softly, "What's wrong with you? Why are you crying all of a sudden? I haven't seen you for a while, did you go to the front yard to look for Sixteen?"
Before she could finish speaking, Hongye burst into tears: "Miss, Miss, what... what does he mean by this..."
In her past life, Hongye stayed by her side and never married. Qin Yuan wanted to settle her down and thought that Shiliu was a good person, but unexpectedly, Hongye suffered a grievance.
Qin Yuan got up to wipe away her tears and comforted her, "If he has done anything to wrong you, just tell me and I will stand up for you."
Hongye stopped crying, opened her tearful eyes and looked at Qin Yuan, saying, "Miss is the best to me. It's just that Sixteen... he didn't do anything to wrong me."
"Then why are you crying?"
Qin Yuan was puzzled.
Hongye said, "He didn't even think of me before he went to Baihe Academy with Miss Qi... I went to find him just now to ask him clearly, but he avoided me."
Qin Yuan suddenly realized: "So you're in a hurry to get married?"
Hongye said angrily, "I told Miss all my secrets, but Miss is teasing me."
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "The Marquis is resting now, and I'm afraid he'll be tired by the sixteenth. Since this matter has already been settled, there's no need to rush. You can ask him again tomorrow. If you can't bring yourself to ask, I'll summon him tomorrow and ask him what his plans are."
This reassurance calmed Hongye down a little.
"For some reason, I felt sad just thinking about it. Although I know that this arrangement was made by the Marquis because he relies on Sixteen Fang, I still feel that I don't hold much weight in Sixteen Fang's heart, while I value him very much. The more I think about it, the sadder I feel."
Qin Yuan felt both sorry for him and amused, and said, "You're already like this before you're even married. I'm afraid that after you get married, you won't have me and Cuiming in your heart anymore."
Hongye hurriedly said, "How could that be? I've always kept Miss and Cuiming in my heart. Gu Shiliu can only rank third."
Qin Yuan couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Hongye then realized she had been teased and couldn't help but scold, "Why are you like this, Miss?"
Qin Yuan said, "Alright, alright, stop crying. What will people think if they see you like this? How will you convince them when you go out?"
Hongye snorted and said, "I don't care what they think. I just do what I'm supposed to do. Everything is done in an orderly manner. I just give orders and supervise them strictly. There are rewards and punishments. They have no choice but to obey."
Qin Yuan smiled and nodded: "You've made a lot of progress these past few days."
"Really?" Hongye forgot her worries.
"Really," Qin Yuan said. "In the future, our Hongye will definitely be the most powerful head nanny in the Marquis's mansion, the kind whose word is law."
Hongye's eyes lit up, and she said, "That's so awesome."
Qin Yuan patiently persuaded her: "You must work hard, and you can't cry over such a small thing."
"That's for sure," Hongye said with a smile. "We can lose in terms of dignity, but we must never lose in terms of battle."
Qin Yuan nodded approvingly.
The red leaves are still very young now, but they will surely shine in time.
What is Gu Shiliu?
If it's not good for the red leaves, just replace it.
With so many capable men under Lord Gu's command, surely he can find a suitable one?
With this in mind, Qin Yuan said, "Quickly make a list. Baozhu is going to Baihe Academy, so we need to prepare some food, clothing and other necessities... as well as expenses for the journey. Once she gets to the academy, we'll need to make some arrangements... I think we should prepare these together with the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts. They'll be setting off after the festival."
This matter is extremely complicated and tests one's abilities to a great extent.
Hongye said, "Don't worry, Miss, I will handle it properly and make sure they have a comfortable journey and a pleasant stay at Baihe Academy."
Qin Yuan nodded, "If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask Sixteen."
Hongye responded.
Seeing that it was getting late, Qin Yuan said, "You should go and rest too. You've been worried about them these past two days, but now you can relax. You need to be well-rested to have the energy to do things. Tonight, Hongmian will take over the night watch."
Hongye gratefully withdrew.
Hongmian seemed a little distracted when she came in to serve, and Qin Yuan asked, "Is something on your mind?"
Hongmian said, "My mother sent word that she wants to arrange a marriage for me and asked me to go back and meet some potential partners when I have time. But I'm worried that I won't be able to handle it since the festival is coming soon."
Qin Yuan asked in surprise, "Are you getting engaged so early?"
Hongmian lowered her head and smiled, "Our two families are old acquaintances. We just wanted to ask a matchmaker to go through the motions. We won't rush into marriage once we're engaged."
The implication was that he would have to stay and work in the Wutong Garden.
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "That's good. I was thinking that you would be very useful. If nothing goes wrong, your monthly allowance will increase after the New Year. If you go out to get married, you won't need it anymore."
Hongmian said happily, "Madam is very good at using people. It is a great fortune for me to be willing to give me this opportunity. I will definitely work hard and repay my mistress."
Qin Yuan said, "It's also because you've done your best. Hongye has spoken highly of you to me time and time again. Originally, I was a little hesitant, worried that you were too young and might not be mature enough."
Hongmian lowered her head and whispered, "Sister Hongye is certainly good, but it's only if Master can listen to her. Sister Hongye and Sister Cuiming are deeply trusted by Master, and I should learn from them so that I can share Master's burdens in the future."
Qin Yuan understood that Hong Mian was not really willing to accept Hong Ye's favor, but she had no choice but to say, "You are clever and capable, and you are a servant born into the family. You also get along well with Hong Ye. I am naturally willing to give you an important position. Just get along well with Hong Ye and Cui Ming in the future."
Hongmian immediately said, "Both of you have served the Madam for many years and are seniors to me. I still have much to learn from you."
Qin Yuan promised Hong Mian that she would leave the mansion the next day, and then rested.
Nothing happened that night. The next morning, Qin Yuan woke up to find Lord Gu still fast asleep.
Qin Yuan sighed, "It's clear this trip has exhausted everyone."
Hearing the commotion, Hongye came in to serve her. Qin Yuan was relieved to see that she was as usual.
Hongye asked, "Why is Hongmian asking for leave from the manor? She even said that Miss gave her permission. Today she was supposed to be counting the gold and silver utensils to be used for the festival. With her gone, we're going to have to work hard. She and the head housekeepers agreed to this herself."
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