Qin Yuan was somewhat perplexed and asked, "The concubine of the Yelv clan’s hostage?"

Yelv Guza always harbored ill intentions towards the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, but on the surface, they minded their own business. Why suddenly send a concubine to visit?

Housekeeper Cao was also full of confusion, "Yes, she sent a message from the gatekeeper saying she had something to discuss with the Marchioness. When asked what it was, she wouldn’t say, and her attire was quite flamboyant."

This meant that she wasn’t here to pay respects to Mrs. Xu.

That made it even more interesting.

Qin Yuan pondered for a moment and then said to Hong Ye, "Go and invite Sixteen over."

Hong Ye quickly went out.

Qin Yuan then had someone bring a small stool for Housekeeper Cao to sit and wait.

Housekeeper Cao chatted leisurely, "Madam, the gatekeeper mentioned that the woman had wrapped her head in a brightly colored thick cloth, making her face indistinguishable, and her voice was coarse and harsh. Could it be related to the few Yelv clan people caught next door?"

Qin Yuan squinted her eyes and responded, "That’s hard to guess. I’ve always been in the Capital City and have never dealt with the Yelv clan. If it’s for those captured Yelv clan members, they’re not showing much regard for our Marquis Mansion. Even if they were here to claim a dog, it wouldn’t be a good excuse since the Marquis almost got assassinated on his return. That would be akin to directly admitting their involvement!"

Housekeeper Cao said, "Madam is right, but I’m still puzzled why the Yelv clan would come to capture Young Master Cheng and Miss Yu."

Qin Yuan sighed, "This matter can only be clarified by Mrs. Zhao."

Gu Shiliu hurried over, saluted, and said, "Madam, the Marquis is already aware and has ordered us to guard you. If you wish to see her, we’ll protect you throughout. If not, just refuse her directly. The Dingbei Marquis Mansion and the Hostage Mansion have never interacted."

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Housekeeper Cao, you go and tell her that she’s a concubine from the Hostage Mansion, and I am the wife of the Dingbei Marquis. We have no past relations, and it’s inappropriate to meet without a reason."

Housekeeper Cao responded and went out to deliver the message.

Qin Yuan asked Gu Shiliu, "Have those Yelv clan people confessed anything?"

Gu Shiliu shook his head, "No, their mouths are tight."

Qin Yuan asked again, "What about the people around Brother Cheng?"

Gu Shiliu said, "The Marquis decided to keep her. It was by chance today. After the Marquis was attacked, he felt something was wrong. He went over the wall from the back door of Renhe Hall, walked on the roof directly to Mr. Cheng’s house, and caught them setting fires just in time. She probably thought it was a mere coincidence."

Qin Yuan nodded.

Gu Shiliu added, "On Eighteen’s way back, he was blocked several times. The Yelv clan intended to entangle the Marquis, so the mansion couldn’t attend to next door, making it convenient to take people away. Fortunately, the Marquis is wise."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yuan curiously asked, "Did you not receive any messages on your end?"

Gu Shiliu chuckled, "Old Lady Qi already sent word, saying there’s unusual movement, so we should pay more attention these couple of days. But nobody expected they would target the Marquis."

Apparently, Old Lady Qi only knew the details from this side.

Gu Shiliu was also prepared, but Marquis Gu acted even faster.

Qin Yuan also smiled.

Gu Shiliu indeed had a cleverness and tact about him, no wonder Hong Ye secretly developed feelings for him.

Qin Yuan thought a bit and said, "Then let Old Lady Qi continue to recover at Mr. Cheng’s house... Any unusual signs with Young Master Cheng and Miss Yu?"

Gu Shiliu said, "Xiao Hong and Zihe haven’t sent any messages. We’ll monitor for a few more days."

Qin Yuan nodded.

Then she and Gu Shiliu chatted about some household trivia.

After a while, Housekeeper Cao returned, saying, "That lady refused to leave, saying it concerns Seventh Miss. If we don’t see her, it might harm Seventh Miss."

"Seventh Miss?"

Both Qin Yuan and Gu Shiliu were stunned.

Hong Ye quickly added, "Indeed, we haven’t seen Seventh Miss today."

After being scolded by Old Madam Gu, Gu Baoshu had not gone to the front to help, and as the past few days were tailing off, there weren’t many people coming to pay respects, so Qin Yuan didn’t pay much attention.

Qin Yuan frowned, and Hong Ye said, "I’ll take some people to find Seventh Miss right away."

Gu Shiliu quickly stopped Hong Ye.

"Too slow, I’ll go."

Before he even finished speaking, he had already left the room, and in the blink of an eye, he was gone.

Housekeeper Cao hurriedly asked, "Madam, should we invite her in for a talk?"

Qin Yuan, now somewhat anxious, said, "First, inform the Marquis and ask if he wishes to see her in the main hall. I’ll head there immediately."

Housekeeper Cao went to his task, and Qin Yuan hurriedly led the maids toward the main hall. Just as she arrived, Gu Shiliu also appeared.

Gu Shiliu was slightly breathless, looking anxious, "Seventh Miss has gone out."

Gu Jinghui stomped his foot and said, "At a time like this, with affairs ongoing in the mansion, how could she have run off again? She truly doesn’t know better, causing more trouble outside! When she gets back, she’ll need a good lesson!"

Sixth Master Gu sat quietly without a word.

Qin Yuan consoled, "What’s done is done. We might as well invite her in and figure everything out. However, shouldn’t you brothers step aside?"

Marquis Gu nodded, "Alright, but be extremely careful. Their people have been captured by me, and now Yelv Guza sends a concubine to plead for a meeting. It’s unclear what he intends."

Gu Shiliu, without needing to be told, had already arranged for guards to hide nearby.

Seeing Marquis Gu in a hurry, Qin Yuan quickly coaxed, "With you here, what do I have to worry about? Besides, she mentioned Seventh Sister; maybe she’s planning to trade her for someone, so she wouldn’t harm me."

Only then did Marquis Gu calm down.

Suddenly, Sixth Master Gu spoke up, "Better safe than sorry, open attacks are easy to dodge, hidden ones are harder."

Qin Yuan nodded, "Fine, you can hide behind the screen. If she acts up, the Marquis will have time to protect me."

Only then did the Marquis Gu feel relieved and hid behind the screen as suggested.

Sixth Master Gu also wanted to hide there: "I’ve never seen a Yelv clan beauty before. For a painter to paint well, one must observe various people. If something goes wrong later on, I’ll just hide under this table and won’t hinder Third Brother."

The Marquis Gu had no choice but to agree.

With everyone prepared, Housekeeper Cao led the woman inside.

Qin Yuan sat at the head, and before she could see the woman clearly, a strong scent hit her nose, making her sneeze.

She quickly covered her nose with a handkerchief and looked up, seeing a tall woman clad in exotic-styled attire, exposing her arms and neck, yet wrapped in a large, thick turban that concealed her entire face.

The woman, upon entering, stood rigidly at the door, neither moving forward nor speaking.

Qin Yuan rose and asked, "Are you the concubine of the hostage? What urgent matter do you have to tell me?"

The woman nodded and whispered, "Madam, Seventh Miss is competing in polo with the Yelv clan hostage for your cousin. If not stopped promptly, there could be danger."