Princess Duan looked at Gu Qinlan with a hint of concern in her eyes, and said, "By the way, Qinlan, don't forget that Zheng Huiyi has just entered the manor and still needs more guidance on etiquette and manners. I heard that she has been acting quite flamboyantly lately, so you must arrange for a governess to teach her properly."
A hint of panic flashed in Gu Qinlan's eyes, and she hurriedly said, "Mother, don't worry, I'll arrange it right away. It's just that there have been some problems with the accounts recently, and I've been so busy investigating that I've overlooked this matter. Please punish me, Mother."
Princess Duan shook her head slightly and said, "There's no need to worry too much about the accounts; the Prince's residence has designated people to handle them. However, you must personally oversee Huiyi's matter, lest she cause trouble again."
Gu Qinlan nodded and was about to leave when Princess Duan called her back: "Qinlan, do you know why I asked you to personally oversee Zheng Huiyi's matter?"
Gu Qinlan looked at Princess Duan with a puzzled expression. Princess Duan sighed and said, "Zheng Huiyi is the eldest daughter of the Duan Prince's Mansion. I'm worried that her flamboyant behavior might affect your position in the manor."
Gu Qinlan felt a warmth in her heart. She knew that Princess Duan was concerned about her, so she said sincerely, "Mother, rest assured, your daughter-in-law will handle this matter properly and prevent Zheng Huiyi from causing any more trouble."
Princess Duan nodded slightly and said, "Alright then, go ahead and get busy."
Gu Qinlan left the ancestral hall, but fell into deep thought.
Princess Duan's words reminded him that the matter of hiring a tutor for Zheng Huiyi could not be delayed any longer.
Gu Qinlan returned to Jinghong Garden and had just finished lunch when Lixia, the maidservant of Princess Duan, rushed over with a look of urgency on her face.
“Miss Gu, Her Highness the Princess requests your presence at Rongxi Hall.” Li Xia’s voice was soft, yet it carried an undeniable air of authority.
Gu Qinlan was slightly taken aback, then asked, "Why did the Princess Consort seek me out?"
Li Xia lowered her head slightly and only said, "The eldest young lady is over there."
Gu Qinlan frowned, thinking to herself, "What's wrong with Zheng Huiyi this time?"
After a moment's thought, she turned around, went back to her room to change into a dignified outfit, and then walked towards Rongxi Hall.
Inside Rongxi Hall, Princess Duan sat in the main seat, with Zheng Huiyi standing beside her, a smug smile on her face. Upon seeing Gu Qinlan enter, a hint of provocation flashed in Zheng Huiyi's eyes.
Gu Qinlan curtsied and bowed to the Princess Consort of Duan, then asked indifferently, "Mother summoned me; what are your instructions?"
Princess Duan nodded slightly and said, "Qinlan, you've arrived. Come and sit down."
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly and walked to her seat. Her gaze swept over Zheng Huiyi, noticing a slight upturn at the corners of her mouth and a hint of smugness in her eyes.
"Mother, what can I do for you?" Her voice was gentle and respectful, but a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes.
Princess Duan nodded slightly, but seemed a little uncomfortable. She coughed lightly and said, "Yes... Huiyi has something to discuss with you."
At this moment, Zheng Huiyi tugged at her mother's sleeve, her eyes filled with urgency. However, Princess Duan unusually refused her request, her tone tinged with helplessness: "You...you tell me yourself, I...I really have no face to speak."
Zheng Huiyi was stunned for a moment, seemingly caught off guard. She bit her lower lip, took a deep breath, turned to Gu Qinlan, and said firmly, "Sister-in-law, I want to manage the household with you."
Gu Qinlan was slightly taken aback; she hadn't expected Zheng Huiyi to make such a request. She looked at Zheng Huiyi, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, and then slowly asked, "Huiyi, what do you mean by this?"
The atmosphere inside Rongxi Hall suddenly became tense.
Zheng Huiyi gritted her teeth, her eyes flashing with determination: "Sister-in-law, I know you are a kind person, but I'm worried that you will be bullied in this household. I can't bear to see you suffer, so I want to manage the household with you and help you with the affairs."
Gu Qinlan frowned.
Seeing this, Princess Duan felt uneasy. She coughed lightly, breaking the silence: "Huiyi, why are you doing this? What kind of person is your sister-in-law? Would she suffer in this mansion?"
Zheng Huiyi anxiously retorted, "Mother, that's not what I meant. I'm just worried that my sister-in-law is too kind and might be taken advantage of by those with ulterior motives. I... I just want to help her."
Gu Qinlan looked at Zheng Huiyi, chuckled inwardly, and snorted coldly, "Huiyi, I appreciate your kindness. But managing a household is no child's play. You are still too young to handle it."
Zheng Huiyi grew anxious. She grabbed Gu Qinlan's sleeve tightly and ordered, "Gu Qinlan, hand over the keys to the accounting room to me. I'll take care of the accounts. You just need to handle the affairs of the manor."
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly, gently brushed Zheng Huiyi's hand away, and said calmly, "Huiyi, you know that accounting is a complicated matter. If I were to take over, I might make mistakes. Moreover, as the Crown Prince's wife, I need to personally oversee the affairs of the household."
Zheng Huiyi's face darkened, and she said defiantly, "Gu Qinlan, you're making excuses. I am the eldest daughter of the Duan Prince's Mansion, and you are just an outsider. Do you dare to disobey my orders?"
Princess Duan looked at Zheng Huiyi with a serious expression and said coldly, "Huiyi, don't be ridiculous. The accounting affairs should be managed by Qinlan. She has the ability and experience. If you have any questions, you can raise them and we can discuss them together."
Zheng Huiyi stared wide-eyed at Princess Duan in disbelief: "Mother, are you favoring her? I am your daughter, don't you care about my feelings?"
Princess Duan's face turned cold, and she said firmly, "Huiyi, if you continue to act so unreasonably, don't blame me for being ruthless. Qinlan is the heir apparent of the Duan Prince's mansion; she has her duties and status. If you truly care about her, you should support her, not act recklessly."
Zheng Huiyi bit her lip angrily, her eyes flashing with resentment.
“Mother, I just wanted to help you with some things, after all, I am your daughter.”
Princess Duan looked coldly at Zheng Huiyi: "Your so-called sharing of responsibilities is nothing more than an attempt to interfere in the accounting affairs. You'd better watch yourself."
Gu Qinlan scoffed coldly, looked at Zheng Huiyi, and said, "A married daughter is like water spilled from a bowl. Once you get married, you will no longer be a member of the Duan Prince's Mansion!"
Zheng Huiyi's expression changed, a flash of anger appearing in her eyes. She straightened her back and glared at Gu Qinlan: "Gu Qinlan, you are the outsider! How dare you question my position in the Duan Prince's Mansion?"
Princess Consort Duan sat at the head of the table, her face ashen. She slowly spoke, "Huiyi, don't you understand? Qinlan is right. A daughter who marries out is no longer a member of the Duan Prince's Mansion."
Zheng Huiyi's eyes widened in disbelief that her mother would say such a thing. She bit her lip tightly, tears welling up in her eyes: "Mother, how could you say such a thing? I am your daughter, and I will always be a member of the Duan Prince's Mansion!"
Gu Qinlan looked at Zheng Huiyi and said calmly, "Huiyi, don't you understand? The rules of the Duan Prince's Mansion are meant to restrain everyone. If you get married, you must abide by your husband's family's rules and can no longer interfere in the affairs of the Duan Prince's Mansion at will."
Zheng Huiyi was furious and glared at Gu Qinlan: "Gu Qinlan, you are just a princess consort, what right do you have to lecture me?"
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