Just as Gu Qianluo was hesitating, a deep, magnetic male voice rang out from outside the flower hall.
"Big brother, sister-in-law, Jinheng has come to see you!"
Immediately, a tall man clad in iron armor and wearing iron boots stepped in. Upon seeing him, the servants knelt down in unison and bowed, "Greetings, Second Young Master!"
Chen Jinran narrowed her eyes slightly, and when she saw who it was, a faint smile appeared on her lips. She stood up and stepped forward to greet them.
"Brother, I've been very busy and only managed to visit you today. I hope you won't mind."
"Jinheng, how have you been? You've been working so hard, taking over for your elder brother! Come! Come and try some of my newly acquired tea."
“It’s not hard work. Fighting for the country is a glorious thing for the family. My elder brother is weak, so I must take on this responsibility for you.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Jinran put his arm around Chen Jinheng's shoulder and walked into the hall.
As Chen Jinran passed by the women, his eyes briefly swept over Zhang Shi, pausing for half a step before he spoke.
"Yu Shan, is this the person you always talk about? Why don't you come over and greet the Second Young Master?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Qianlu raised her eyebrows and looked at the girl in front of her.
Her face was delicate and charming, her long, black hair cascading down her fair neck. Her bright, sparkling eyes shone like stars, and her jade-like face appeared even more delicate with the help of makeup. Her voice was as sweet as a nightingale's, and her smile was gentle and radiant.
"Greetings, Second Young Master. I have heard that you are a valiant warrior on the battlefield, winning every battle. Seeing you today, I am truly amazed."
Yu Shan has long admired you, and to be able to see you in person today truly fulfills a long-cherished wish.
Upon hearing this, Chen Jinheng glanced at Gu Qianluo not far away, a faint smile appearing on his lips, and said,
"Thank you for your praise, Miss Yushan. Protecting our country is a man's duty, and I am just doing my job."
After speaking, Chen Jinheng's gaze fell on Zhang Shi, and he respectfully bowed with his hands clasped.
"Jinheng greets his sister-in-law."
Seeing Chen Jinheng approach, Madam Zhang dared not be negligent and teased him gently.
"Jinheng, did you just come back from the training ground? It's getting late, have dinner before you leave. It might be inconvenient for you to eat in these clothes!"
Chen Jinheng's eyes lit up, and he nodded slightly, "Alright, thank you for your hospitality, Second Sister-in-law! Then Jinheng will gladly accept your offer!"
"It's a rare opportunity to be with my elder brother, and Jinheng has some things he wants to say to him."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jinran smiled faintly and said, "Brother also had the same idea. Someone, take the Second Young Master downstairs to change into a clean set of clothes."
Immediately, the steward of Baixiangju stepped forward to greet Chen Jinheng and said respectfully, "Second Young Master, this way please."
"Thank you for your trouble, Butler Wang!" As Chen Jinheng approached Gu Qianluo, his eyes shone brightly on her, a handsome smile curving his lips. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Greetings, Madam!"
Upon hearing the voice and seeing the person, Gu Qianlu raised her eyebrows, slightly curved her lips, and replied softly, "Husband."
Seeing her smiling face, Chen Jinheng was in a good mood. He leaned closer to her ear and said softly, "I'll be right back."
Before he finished speaking, the figure had already disappeared from sight.
Gu Qianlu had just come to her senses when her sister-in-law, Zhang, came up to her, took her hand, and said warmly,
"Second sister-in-law, there's still some time before dinner. I'll call some of the stewards over to meet you, so I can give them orders later."
Upon hearing this, Gu Qianluo's eyes lit up, and she quickly agreed, "Thank you for your trouble, sister-in-law! I will do my best to help you whenever you need me."
"With your words of comfort, I'm relieved!" After saying this, Madam Zhang pushed Yu Shan from behind to stand in front of Gu Qianluo, and said earnestly,
"Yushan, you've been learning abacus from your father since you were little, and you'll be managing the household in the future. So, stay by the Second Madam's side and help her out!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Qianluo's eyes lit up, a hint of suspicion flashing in them.
Is this another spy that Zhang Shi specially planted next to Chen Jinheng, besides Aunt Zhu?
Recalling Yu Shan's timid and charming appearance in front of Chen Jinheng just now, Gu Qianluo seemed to understand something.
Seeing this, Yu Shan slowly walked to Gu Qianluo's side and said shyly, "Yu Shan is not very talented, please give me more guidance, Second Madam."
Looking at Yu Shan's charming and lovely appearance, Gu Qianluo's eyes flashed with a sharp light, but she revealed a calm smile and said softly,
"Not at all! I've only done some calculations for a few days. I'm nowhere near as capable as Yushan. I'll need you to teach me more in the future!"
As the two finished speaking, an old servant slowly walked in from outside the flower hall and reported, "Madam, the stewards in charge of various affairs are waiting in the study."
Upon hearing this, Madam Zhang frowned slightly, slowly turned her gaze to Gu Qianluo, and said, "In that case, Second Sister-in-law, let's hurry over there."
“Alright, the housekeepers are busy, so let’s not delay any longer,” Gu Qianlu replied.
A moment later, Gu Qianluo and her entourage slowly walked to the study, where maids and servants had already served tea to the steward.
The stewards of the Marquis's mansion each had their own duties and would only visit each other about once every six months.
This rare gathering filled the hall with lively sounds.
Steward Mo, who was in charge of the Marquis's estate, frowned and asked everyone with a question,
"Why do you think the First Madam is in such a hurry to see us?"
"I heard from Fang Shu's servant that the First Madam intends to hand over the management of the Marquis's household affairs to the Second Madam."
"It's normal that Steward Mo, who is not usually in the capital, is not familiar with the affairs of the household!"
Granny Liu, who managed the shop, frowned, waved her hand, and flatly denied it.
"That's impossible. Everyone knows that most of the Marquis's properties are registered under the eldest son's name."
"Speaking of contributions, the second young master is no less capable than the eldest young master. Why doesn't the Marquis send the second young master some estates or shops?"
"The second young master is strong and healthy and has made outstanding military achievements, while the eldest young master is weak. It is understandable that the Marquis would favor the eldest young master more because of the kindness of his former wife."
"You know what, just as I came from the flower hall, I saw the Second Madam and the First Madam having tea there!"
"If that's true, would someone as shrewd as the First Madam relinquish power so easily?"
As everyone was discussing, Gu Qianluo and her entourage walked in from outside. Upon seeing them, the butlers all stood up and bowed.
"Greetings, Madam!"
"No need for formalities, please be seated."
After speaking, Gu Qianlu followed Madam Zhang to sit in the main seat, while Yu Shan, as a junior, stood behind Madam Zhang.
Zhang raised her eyebrows slightly and introduced the women in charge to the seated housekeepers.
"This is the Second Madam. You will have to help her out in the future. This is Miss Yushan, who will assist the Second Madam in her work."
Upon hearing this, the housekeepers politely bowed and greeted Gu Qianluo.
Gu Qianlu raised an eyebrow slightly, picked up a teapot and cup from the coffee table on her left, held it up to her nose, and said respectfully,
"Elders, you are all very busy with your affairs and have traveled long distances. I, Gu Qianluo, would like to offer you a toast with tea instead of wine. I wish you all good fortune and continued success."
After saying this, Gu Qianlu covered her face with her hand, tilted her head back, and drank the tea in her cup in one gulp.
Seeing this, Zhang's eyes turned cold, her expression darkened, and her gaze swept over each of the stewards present.
When she realized that no one dared to respond to Gu Qianluo, a barely perceptible smile appeared on Zhang's lips.
Most of the stewards in this Marquis's mansion are Zhang's confidants. These people often receive benefits from her, so how could they dare to easily do anything disloyal to her?
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