Upon hearing this, Lord Gu quickly smiled and said, "What joke are you talking about, Granny? Yuan'er is gentle by nature, how could she possibly have a dispute with Seventh Sister and Sixth Sister-in-law?"
Upon hearing this, Rong Mama couldn't help but laugh and quickly said, "The Marquis will understand once the little maid demonstrates it. This old servant is not here to complain."
Lord Gu was relieved. He placed the food box on the table, opened it, and found a bowl of lotus seed soup. It seemed that Rong Momo's delivery was a ruse; she really wanted him to hear what Qin Yuan had to say.
He turned his face, raised his chin at the little maid, narrowed his long eyes slightly, and said, "Speak."
Because of her good memory, the young maidservant made a good impression on her master today. Upon hearing the Marquis's instructions, she became even more careful, repeating each sentence verbatim and even imitating everyone's tone of voice.
After hearing this, Lord Gu's expression changed, and he praised her in a very good mood, saying, "The main house has such a clever little maid."
Rong Momo smiled and said, "If the Marquis takes a fancy to her, he can just ask the old lady for her. There are still many pits to fill in Wutong Courtyard. This girl has a good memory and is clever. She will definitely be useful in the future."
The little maid blinked, looking at Lord Gu with anticipation.
Gu Jinghui declined, saying, "I have never asked for a maid to serve me. This is something that Madam should see. If she takes a liking to one, then let her ask for one to keep by her side."
Rong Momo was quite surprised.
Gu Jinghui explained, "The lady of the house makes all the decisions, so it's not appropriate for me to interfere."
If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them.
Qin Yuan has never made a mistake in managing Wutong Garden, so he shouldn't interfere.
Rong Momo then said, "Then the Marquis should ask the Madam when he has time."
Gu Jinghui asked, "What is this little girl's relationship with the old woman?"
"She is the daughter of the Sun family, and she was just selected from the village."
Gu Jinghui nodded. "Old Sun, I know him. He's the most honest man, yet he managed to raise such a clever child."
He then asked the young maid, "What's your name? How old are you? Have you ever been to school? Can you read?"
The young maidservant immediately replied in a clear voice, "Reporting to the Marquis, my name is Xiao Hong. I am eight years old and have never been to school. My grandfather taught me to recognize about a hundred characters."
This number of characters I know is enough for my needs.
Gu Jinghui gave a few instructions: "From now on, when Madam goes to the main room, be careful, understand?"
"knew."
Gu Jinghui glanced at Gu Shiliu.
Gu Shiliu quickly took out a piece of silver and handed it to the maid, saying, "This is a reward from the Marquis."
The maid didn't accept it. She looked at Granny Rong first, and only accepted it after seeing Granny Rong nod. Then she quickly kowtowed to Gu Jinghui, saying, "Thank you for the reward, Your Excellency."
"That's a good manner," Gu Jinghui praised the little girl again before saying to Rong Mama, "I understand what Mother means. Yuan'er is still young, so I'll have to trouble Mother to take good care of her and protect her in the future."
Rong Momo's eyes showed relief.
Lord Gu's words made her trip worthwhile.
Lord Gu added, “I will be going to the camp outside the city more often in the future, so I will have to trouble Mother to take care of things at home. There is nothing else I need to do, just keep an eye on her. If the servants in the mansion are disobedient, they will be more careful with Mother’s help.”
Rong Momo agreed to everything and then took Xiao Hong to kowtow to Qin Yuan. Unfortunately, Qin Yuan went to Songtao Pavilion to discuss matters with the Sixth Madam, so the matter was dropped.
Lord Gu's lighthearted demeanor vanished, replaced by a dark expression as he asked Gu Shiliu, "You said before that you found out those rumors all originated from within the manor?"
Gu Shiliu nodded.
Gu Jinghui angrily said, "I knew everything was fine in the north, how come it's spread like this as soon as I got back? Madam Zhao even said that the people in the north are open-minded and there are few taboos between men and women, while the capital is too particular, which is why this happened. Now it seems that someone deliberately did this. Investigate, you investigate further and find out who is spreading this rumor."
If Qin Yuan hadn't reminded him, he wouldn't have known that his fence had already become loose.
Gu Shiliu hesitated, as if he wanted to speak.
Gu Jinghui's sharp gaze swept over him. "Is there anything else you haven't said?"
"Master, have you forgotten? Didn't you tell me to ask what Lady Zhao and Madam Zhao said on their wedding day?"
Gu Jinghui paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, and said, "I remember this matter, but I was always delayed by other things and never asked you about it again."
Gu Shiliu then recounted what he had found out.
Gu Jinghui's face grew increasingly grim.
"No wonder, no wonder..."
Gu Jinghui muttered to himself, finally sighing, and said, "But I have to consider Brother Cheng and Sister Yu's feelings..."
Even if you don't respect the monk, you should respect the Buddha.
His deceased benefactor and his two children, who were as close to him as father and son, forced him to give in to Zhao Niangzi's every whim.
Since it involved his master's family affairs, Gu Shiliu dared not say much and could only stand quietly, waiting for the Marquis's instructions.
After a long pause, Gu Jinghui finally spoke with difficulty: "You must keep quiet about what happened the night before last. Do not let Madam hear about it, lest she become suspicious."
Gu Shiliu was quick-witted.
He wouldn't dare tell anyone unless the Marquis gave him a warning, but now that the Marquis has given him this much advice, he doesn't even dare to talk in his sleep at night.
Too……
The old lady was furious when she heard this.
Let's not even mention the lady.
Gu Shiliu also felt sorry for the Marquis.
"What if Lady Zhao sends someone to look for the Marquis again?"
Gu Jinghui was stunned and asked incredulously, "She can still send people to look for her?"
Gu Shiliu said, "Even if a bone is broken, the tendons are still connected. If Brother Cheng and Sister Yu want to see the Marquis, will the Marquis go or not?"
The two children are so young, their mother will always be by their side. If the Marquis were to leave, how could he not meet Lady Zhao?
Gu Jinghui frowned in disgust.
"Why are women's affairs more difficult than fighting a war?"
Gu Shiliu said, "My mother said that women's matters should be handled by women, as men don't understand them. It would be better to leave this matter to you, Madam."
"Absolutely not."
Gu Jinghui shook his head.
"Once I get to the main camp, I'll discuss this with a few strategists."
He doesn't understand, but he can ask.
The officers around me have been married for many years and are very knowledgeable about how to manage their wives. Some of them have seven or eight concubines and their families are harmonious and happy.
Now is the perfect opportunity for them to put their talents to good use.
Gu Shiliu felt it was unreliable.
Gu Jinghui had already put the matter aside and said, "Sixteen, you heard how Madam defended me in front of others."
Gu Shiliu nodded: "Madam is on the Marquis's side and won't allow anyone else to say anything."
“Yes, she seems indifferent to where I go, but she’s actually very concerned,” Gu Jinghui couldn’t help but share with Gu Shiliu. “You’re not married yet. You’ll understand when you are.”
Gu Shiliu: "..."
Gu Jinghui continued, "Mother is still too soft-hearted towards Seventh Sister. What will become of her in the future? How can her in-laws and husband tolerate her like this? We must find a way to help her change her ways."
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