Qin Yuan found it somewhat amusing, but then, after a moment's thought, she continued, "Yes, so what have you been busy with these past few days while you were away from home? Don't you know that someone at home is worried about you?"
Lord Gu was both smug and excited, yet he tried to maintain a nonchalant demeanor, causing his handsome face to contort slightly.
Qin Yuan closed her eyes, unable to bear watching any longer, otherwise she was afraid she would burst out laughing.
After a long pause, Lord Gu coughed lightly and said, "I know you've been busy at home these days, and I'm afraid you're a little bored. Prince Qi, he..."
Before he finished speaking, several birds chirped outside.
Lord Gu hurriedly stood up and said, "I have to go now. I'll spend more time with you when I have some free time."
Qin Yuan also sat up, wrapped in the quilt, and looked wistfully at Lord Gu, who had dressed in no time. She said, "When are you free? I have something important to tell you."
“…Tonight, I’ll try to come back as early as possible,” Gu Jinghui said apologetically to Qin Yuan, then leaned in and gently stroked her delicate, fair face beneath her cascading black hair. “Eat your food and sleep well. I’ll spend some quality time with you once I’m done with my work.”
Before Qin Yuan could speak, Lord Gu had already leaped out of the house and disappeared.
Clearly, the situation outside is extremely important and urgent.
Qin Yuan sighed.
Hongye walked in, beaming, and said, "Why is Miss sighing?"
Qin Yuan glanced at her and smiled, "What? Stop crying?"
Hongye said shyly, "Miss is making fun of me again."
Qin Yuan asked curiously, "Did you dream of receiving guidance from a deity or bodhisattva last night? How come you seem like a completely different person now?"
Hongye turned her back and started making the bed, saying, "With such good masters as you and the Marquis, do I need divine guidance? If I still can't see things clearly, how foolish would I be? Wouldn't that be wasting the kindness my masters have shown me?"
Qin Yuan felt there must be a reason for this, and was about to ask a few more questions when Hongmian's voice rang out from outside: "Has Madam gotten up?"
Hongye pursed her lips, and the smile on her face disappeared.
Qin Yuan said, "Hongye is serving inside, you don't need to come in. Go to the kitchen to get your food. You got up late today and there's still a lot to do."
Hongmian responded.
When it was time for the meal, Cuiming mentioned that the Marquis was worried about Hongye. Only then did Qin Yuan understand why Hongye had changed her expression today. She laughed and said, "I was wondering why you were acting differently. It turns out you've been reassured."
Hongye said, "That's not it. Didn't the Marquis make a promise before? It's just that after I woke up from my nap, I understood. I know what kind of person Sixteen is. How could I let a petty person upset me? Besides, what the Marquis said is very true. I'm just feeling sad and wronged here, but Sixteen doesn't know anything about it. All the trouble is for the sake of me. I have such a good young lady and such a good Cuiming. How could I let you down?"
Cui Ming laughed and said, "That's incredible! After going through this, you've become so eloquent. How will I ever win an argument with you in the future?"
Several people inside the room chuckled, and the sound carried outside through the window.
Several maids whispered in the corridor, "Madam is so kind to Hongye and Cuiming. I really envy them."
Hongmian stared blankly at the pillar beside her without making a sound.
In the past, these maids would always greet her with smiles and would try to strike up a conversation even if they had nothing to say. But now they are very disrespectful to her.
She had previously considered that if things were exposed, Cuiming and Hongye would lead everyone to ostracize and sideline her.
But I didn't expect it to come so quickly.
But the victor is king and the loser is villain. If we don't fight for it this time, we can only watch helplessly as Hongye and the person she has her eye on are seen together.
We'll know the outcome in three days.
If it works out, she will ask the madam for a transfer to another post. With Gu Shiliu around, she won't have a hard time anywhere.
Although I feel a little bad for the red leaves, everyone wants happiness, right?
Even if we take a step back and say that she knew Gu Shiliu long before Hongye, both families were servants of the household, both were wealthy, and both had many siblings. They were both clever and capable people, and by all accounts, they were a better match than Hongye.
As long as Gu Shiliu's family agrees, Gu Shiliu will understand in the future.
Hongmian was lost in thought when suddenly someone called out to her from behind: "Hongmian, Hongmian, stop daydreaming, the madam wants you to come in."
Hongmian was startled and hurriedly rushed into the main room.
Seeing that Cuiming and Hongye were standing on either side of Qin Yuan, Hongmian quickly glanced at their expressions before bowing to Qin Yuan and saying, "This servant greets Madam. I returned yesterday, but because I was outside all day, I was afraid that I would bring the filth from outside with me and offend you, so I didn't come to serve you."
Looking at the clever person in front of her, Qin Yuan sighed inwardly.
"Hongmian, has your marriage been arranged yet?"
Hongmian trembled, thought for a moment, and said, "It's settled then."
Qin Yuan then said, "You've been doing well these days. Cui Ming is short-staffed and needs someone smart, capable, and in charge. She's mentioned it to me several times already. Why don't you go to the sewing room to help her?"
Despite the bright autumn sun shining outside and her wearing a light jacket, Hongmian felt her hands and feet were ice-cold, and she couldn't even speak.
After a long pause, she finally said, "Didn't Madam say before that I was diligent and quick-witted and should stay by your side to work with the two elder sisters? Why are you sending me to the needlework room now?"
Cuiming pouted unhappily and said, "You're just a maid. Madam can use you however she wants. Why do you take everything she said seriously? Didn't you say you would treat Hongye like your own sister and take good care of her? What did you do yesterday?"
Despite being prepared, Hongmian was still in a very embarrassing situation.
She glanced at the silent Hongye, who was also staring at her with a look of disdain.
After turning her gaze away, Hongmian said to Qin Yuan, "Madam, if this is the reason, I have something to say. Could you please allow me to offer a few words of rebuttal?"
Qin Yuan sighed inwardly, but still said, "Tell me about it."
Hongmian said, "Madam knows that I am a capable person and do things properly. Since I started working for you, I have never made a mistake. This is not just me praising myself, but what others say as well."
Qin Yuan nodded and said, "That's right. I've seen your competence and quick wit, which is truly rare."
Hongmian then said, "When Madam employs people, shouldn't she keep the capable ones by her side and send the dull ones elsewhere? Why did you transfer me out of Wutong Garden to work in the needlework room?"
Qin Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "I underestimated you. I didn't expect you to think of this. What you said makes some sense."
Hongmian's expression softened slightly.
Cuiming and Hongmian's expressions both turned ugly.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
