Qin Yuan frowned, not expecting Hong Mian to leave behind such a big problem, and asked, "Did she arrange another date with the stewardesses?"
The red leaves shook their heads.
"The supervising mothers are counting the inventory in the warehouse, unaware that Hongmian has already taken leave. If we don't take over, the schedule will be thrown into chaos. The closer to the holiday, the more things there are to do. If one link in the chain falls apart, the rest will be..."
Qin Yuan smiled apologetically, "I had no idea she had abandoned all these things without making proper arrangements. She asked for leave yesterday saying her mother wanted her to go out and look at marriage prospects, and I thought she had already discussed everything."
Hongye was startled.
"So you're already going to arrange a marriage? She's a few years younger than me."
Qin Yuan said, "Yes."
Hongye waited a while, and seeing that Qin Yuan was not going to continue, she asked again, "Is she going to get married at such a young age? She's only just been trained and she's already leaving the manor. Who will they find to fill the vacancy? Although Hongmian is cunning, she is indeed efficient in her work."
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "I knew you would ask this in a hurry. She said that our two families are old acquaintances, so we should settle it first and then talk about the marriage later."
Hongye frowned: "Hongmian arranged the most trivial and troublesome things, but then dumped them on us and went to find a match herself... I just don't understand. Since the two families are old acquaintances, they should know her appearance and character. Why would she rush to find a match at this time?"
Qin Yuan sighed, rubbing her forehead.
"My mind has been a mess these past two days. She looked very troubled when she said it, so I didn't think much of it."
Hongye felt uneasy but couldn't say anything, so she said, "Miss has been busy these days and hasn't had time for these things. Who would have thought she had so many little thoughts?"
Qin Yuan sighed, "After all, unlike you and Cui Ming, they didn't grow up with me."
Hongye was somewhat pleased.
Qin Yuan added, "From now on, you and Cuiming can handle the maids' requests for leave. I won't bother them if they come to me again."
Hongye thought for a moment and said, "That's good, so that no one can take advantage of the situation."
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Thank you for your help today. If you are too busy, please call some people to help and ask the kitchen to prepare more good dishes."
Hongye nodded: "That's the only way."
After Hongye left, Qin Yuan sighed.
Hongmian is too scheming. If she were promoted to the position of a first-class maid, who knows how many troubles would arise between her and Hongye.
But if we don't mention it, she is indeed clever, quick-witted, and hardworking.
If one is slow to get promoted, it becomes difficult to motivate others.
This really put her in a difficult position.
"Having someone too capable under you is also a problem."
Qin Yuan sighed inwardly.
After tidying up, Qin Yuan went to the council courtyard to handle various matters. Half a day passed in the blink of an eye. When she returned to Wutong Garden at noon, Lord Gu had already gone to the yamen to be on duty. Qin Yuan sat there in a daze, and suddenly remembered Gu Shiliu and Hongye. She then ordered someone to ask if Gu Shiliu was there.
A short while later, the maidservant brought back a message saying that Gu Shiliu had left the mansion early in the morning.
Qin Yuan frowned.
"Something just feels off."
Mo Zhu asked, "Madam, is something not quite right?"
Qin Yuan was distracted, realizing she had been talking to herself unintentionally. She said, "Nothing. Aren't Hongye and Cuiming coming back for dinner?"
Mo Zhu smiled and said, "I really envy the two sisters for being so remembered by the Madam. Sister Hongye is too busy today, and Sister Cuiming went to help out as well. They can just use some at the storeroom and won't be coming back."
Qin Yuan ate her meal alone, then rested for a while before asking, "Has Hongmian returned?"
Not yet.
Qin Yuan then asked, "Where is Gu Shiliu?"
After thinking for a moment, he said, "Forget it, the Marquis hasn't returned yet, and perhaps Sixteen hasn't returned either. There's no need to look for him."
When it was time for dinner, Gu Baozhu ran over, dressed as a boy. Qin Yuan was surprised and asked, "Whose handsome boy is this?"
Gu Baozhu laughed heartily and said, "Third Sister-in-law, it's me."
Qin Yuan sighed, "Of course I knew it was you. You look really handsome in this outfit."
Looking tired, Hongye walked over and said with a smile, "Seventh Miss, you look even more charming than a young lady dressed up. Who wouldn't ask whose young master this is?"
Gu Baozhu said smugly, "Although I can't compare to my third and sixth brothers, I haven't fully grown up yet."
The implication is that there is still room for improvement.
"You get all worked up when I say you're fat," Qin Yuan said reproachfully. "Once you've grown up, you'll be a young lady. Why are you still dressing like a man?"
Gu Baozhu sighed, "What can we do? These past few days, as a man, I really don't want to live like a woman anymore. They live too comfortably; the camaraderie among men is something you can't find in a woman's home."
Qin Yuan shook her head and chuckled.
Gu Baozhu leaned closer and asked, "Why are you laughing at me, Third Sister-in-law? Are you laughing at what I said that was wrong?"
Qin Yuan said, "Yes and no. You're still a child, that's why you say such childish things. You think that friendships between young women are too complicated and not as interesting as men being together, showing loyalty and speaking frankly. Isn't that right?"
Gu Baozhu nodded.
Qin Yuan said, "Women's lives mostly revolve around the household, with little income generation and much expense control. It's all about trivial expenses and social interactions. So it's no wonder that after marriage, when women manage the household, they become shrewd and calculating in everything. Girls in their boudoirs naturally absorb this from their elders' planning. After marriage, they have in-laws to care for, sisters-in-law to manage, and their husbands to deal with... Childbirth and reproduction are so many things to do, how can they possibly keep in touch with their childhood friends... But don't assume that men are always honest and righteous. There are plenty of treacherous people in this world who call you 'brother' to your face but stab you in the back. The struggles between men are about the life and death of the nation and the family, and the scheming they use is far more extensive than the petty squabbles women have over the household."
These words all stemmed from what she had seen and heard in her previous life.
Gu Baozhu paused for a moment, then said, "Even so, I would rather be a man than a woman. Being a woman confined to her chambers may mean less excitement, but it's also rather dull. If I could walk like a man, even if there's scheming and fighting, it would be less mundane and more interesting."
Qin Yuan sighed.
Gu Baozhu then said, "Third Brother said that if my martial arts skills have improved after I return from my studies, he can let me help manage the Gu Family Army. Third Sister-in-law, do you think I still need to get married?"
Qin Yuan was taken aback, not knowing that Gu Jinghui had such plans.
Hongye couldn't help but sigh, "The old lady and the Marquis truly dote on the Seventh Miss. But in this world, apart from nuns, what woman doesn't get married?"
Gu Baozhu nodded.
"That's true. Even You Da said that not many people live as comfortably as I do. Even she has to compete with her sister-in-law and other women at home."
Qin Yuan rubbed her forehead and laughed, "You're still young, why are you thinking about these things? When I was your age, I never thought about marrying into the Dingbei Marquis's family, nor did I ever imagine that I would have a sister-in-law named Gu Baozhu."
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