Sixth Master Gu said indifferently, "The matter with the Xu family was resolved in court yesterday. Your third sister-in-law had long seen through this situation and explained beforehand. Moreover, with the help of Housekeeper Han and Housekeeper Cao to suppress the issue, they haven’t caused any more trouble. Everything about the Xu family aunt and niece has been clarified in court, stating clearly that it has nothing to do with the Gu Family. The dowry silver of Mrs. Xu was offset with pepper. All the complaints and evidence for the case are stamped with the seal of the Capital Governor Mansion and kept on record. They won’t be able to stir up any trouble later."

Of course, the Gu Family will not pursue the Xu family for using the Gu Family’s silver to lend at high interest, nor will they address the disturbance caused during Mrs. Xu’s illness that led to her death.

To ensure stability, Housekeeper Cao confessed in the government offices, accusing the deceased Mrs. Xu of using the house’s monthly silver to lend money. The related people from the Marquis Mansion have already been sent to the Capital Governor Mansion’s prison.

Housekeeper Zhang and Accountant Sun are slaves of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion; even if they get out of prison, they can’t escape the Gu Family’s grasp.

If the Xu family ever goes back on their word, the Gu Family will stir up this case again.

The Xu family, though unwilling, did not dare to obstruct, fearing that the Marquis Mansion would turn hostile.

Moreover, these days, Mrs. Xu’s ghost has been causing them great distress. Mrs. Xu hasn’t slept properly for many days, as every time she does, she dreams of her little sister-in-law accusing her of being greedy and not considering the ties of many years as sisters-in-law.

Mr. Xu was also annoyed that all her calculations came to nothing and dragged him down as well.

Sixth Master Gu was unyielding, and the Xu family did not make any more waves. Before leaving, Mr. Xu forced a smile and said, "Brother-in-law, all these matters are stirred up by the women at home. We men should continue our interactions as usual."

Sixth Master Gu was no longer the person he once was and had improved greatly in handling personal relationships. He also smiled and said, "Of course, you are the uncle’s family of my three children, and this will never change. Moreover, these matters are left for them. I’m just worried that if dragged on for too long and the accounts become unclear, when the children grow up and hear gossip, they’ll blame me and also resent the Xu family, causing their mother to be restless underground. Their mother was always considerate of her own family, and seeing the children grow up and fall out with her family would be painful."

These words made Mr. Xu’s face flush red and then pale, and he muttered to Mrs. Xu.

"Do you think he’s foolish or smart?"

If he’s foolish, how can he speak such wise words?

If he’s smart, why would he say them so openly?

Mrs. Xu said, "Let’s not bother with him anymore. This matter ends here. If we don’t provoke them in the future, they naturally won’t use this to pressure us. Now that brother-in-law has a title and reputation, he’s not the same as before. Moreover... Dingbei Marquis’s wife, though young, is not to be underestimated. This time, King Jin’s mansion must be displeased with us. I say, even if we break bones with the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, we are still connected. There’s no need to meddle... too bad for my precious Zhen’er."

She couldn’t help but shed tears as she spoke.

At the Capital Governor Mansion, when listening to idle chatter from the Housekeepers of Tinghou Mansion and the Magistrate, Mrs. Xu learned that during her last stay at the family temple, Qin Yuan had secretly captured a fake monk who had been hiding for over ten years without anyone knowing, and only then did she realize that the young Marchioness was a formidable character.

No wonder her little sister-in-law couldn’t win over her, ultimately meeting a tragic end.

The Dingbei Marquis Mansion today is not the one controlled by her little sister-in-law.

What good would come from falling out with the Dingbei Marquis Mansion?

The more Mrs. Xu thought about it, the more regretful and fearful she became. As the saying goes, when gods fight, little devils suffer. What was the Xu family trying to achieve?

Mr. Xu sighed, "Who would have thought my brother-in-law would now... Ultimately, it’s my sister who lacked fortune. Regarding King Jin, we’ll have to find a way for Xu Tang to persuade him. Now that he’s gained the Emperor’s favor, King Jin will give him some face. One pen can’t write two Xu characters; he must find a way to help me."

The Xu family was filled with remorse, but Gu Baoshu praised her Sixth Brother highly: "I never expected that Sixth Brother would handle matters so honorably. Indeed, one must regard a gentleman with new eyes after not seeing him for three days."

Sixth Master Gu raised his eyebrows proudly, laughing, "Look at me handling such a significant matter, am I going over the top? Am I astonished? You’re still too young; you lack composure. You’ll have a lot to endure."

Mr. Songshan took a sip of tea to refrain from dampening his mood.

Gu Baoshu secretly rolled her eyes.

Sixth Master Gu turned to Qin Yuan and, with an eager face, took out a stack of papers from his pocket, gesturing for Hong Ye to take them.

"Third sister-in-law, these are the documents from the government, as well as the contracts handed over by the Xu family, declaring that all the shortfall in Mrs. Xu’s dowry has been covered with their pepper."

After inspecting it, Qin Yuan smiled, "Sixth Brother, make sure to keep it safe. After the festival, we’ll be buying up a lot of pepper on the market, and these are not a small amount."

Sixth Master Gu said, "Please, Third Sister-in-law, help me keep them. You can decide on these matters in the future."

After speaking, he stood and bowed slightly.

Hong Ye found it amusing; it seemed Sixth Master Gu had shifted the responsibility to Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan waved her hand, "Sixth Brother, you can keep them yourself. When it’s time to handle things, I won’t forget to inform you."

Sixth Master Gu shamelessly said, "Third Sister-in-law knows I am unfamiliar with these affairs. Keeping them with me isn’t as reassuring as leaving them with you. Besides, I currently have no one in charge in my house, and it isn’t proper to let a concubine keep them. Please, Third Sister-in-law, manage them for the sake of the nephews and niece."

Seeing him use the children as an excuse, Qin Yuan reluctantly said, "In that case, I’ll keep them for now."

She ordered Hong Ye to fetch the pen and ledger, wrote a receipt, and recorded it in the account, completing the handover.

Gu Baoshu came up cheerfully, "Didn’t Third Sister-in-law also promise to take me along for buying pepper? But after the festival, I’ll be going to the White Crane Academy. It’s so far away; how can I manage? Third Sister-in-law, please help Sixth Brother and help me too by managing my accounts."

Sixth Master Gu silently drank his tea on the side.

Qin Yuan had no choice but to say, "Fine, I concede to you siblings."

Gu Baoshu cheered and was about to hug Qin Yuan coquettishly, "Third Sister-in-law is the best to me..."

"Ahem," Mr. Songshan set down the teacup, trying hard to steer back the conversation, "Madam, now that the Marquis is not here, and Crown Prince Jin Wang and others harbor ill intentions, we must have a good discussion."

Only then did Gu Baoshu sit obediently, afraid of being sent away.

Qin Yuan said solemnly, "I believe Mr. Songshan already has a strategy in mind. Please don’t hesitate to give your guidance."

Mr. Songshan cleared his throat before delivering the plan he had been mulling over for a long time, "Madam’s previous proposal for gathering intelligence is very plausible. Since ancient times, scouts precede the army; without understanding the geography and people, how can we camp, march, or deploy troops? Now, in the Capital City, having no information is like an army without scouts. However, now that we have more information, selecting and verifying it is a big issue. For instance, the recent Duke Zhen’s Mansion Old Madam’s birthday banquet had many reports..."