My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead-Chapter 56: Eager to Dig a Pit

Qin Yuan looked at Sixth Lady Gu and asked, "Is Bai Que highly regarded by Lady Zhao?"

Sixth Lady Gu was at a loss for words.

To say she is valued, she is merely a second-class maid; to say she isn’t, would imply Lady Zhao is not valued?

Yet, a maid valued by the Old Madam committed such a foolish act; doesn’t this imply the Old Madam’s judgment is flawed?

Even the astute Sixth Lady Gu found herself stumped, furrowing her brows, unsure of where to start.

Qin Yuan continued, "Perhaps it’s better to inform the Marquis and see if he thinks it matters. I’m genuinely uncertain."

The housekeeper mothers exchanged meaningful glances.

Were it not for Qin Yuan’s presence, they might have started gossiping.

Hong Ye said, "I’ll be back shortly."

Qin Yuan nodded.

Hong Ye exited the hall and went to the side room.

Sixth Lady Gu then said guiltily, "It turns out I’ve spoken too much, and my third brother and sister-in-law were unaware." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Who would believe that?

The person was right outside Wutong Garden, although Bai Que chose to stand there herself. Should someone not have reported to Qin Yuan?

Surely Qin Yuan must have blocked the information.

Sixth Lady Gu was screaming internally awaiting the Marquis’ response.

She had brought so many housekeeper mothers today, there were witnesses around. If Hong Ye dared not to report faithfully, Qin Yuan would be in an even more difficult position later.

Qin Yuan wouldn’t be that foolish.

This time, that sharp-tongued girl’s face would likely get swollen.

Unexpectedly, half a cup of tea later, Hong Ye returned lightly and said, "The Marquis said not to worry about her; not everyone around the Old Madam is perceptive, Bai Que might have aged but lacks wits. She doesn’t understand her mistress’s words and should be let go."

Sixth Lady Gu: "..."

This, this, this.

The housekeeper mothers stared dumbfounded at Qin Yuan.

This Marchioness truly has remarkable capability.

Just days ago, Lady Zhao from Fengxuan Pavilion was an untouchable guest in the mansion.

Even Sixth Lady Gu had to flatter and respect her.

Bai Que was someone from the Old Madam’s side and had been assigned to Lady Zhao. Her parents had long declared that those serving in the mansion shouldn’t expect marriage opportunities; their daughter was meant to serve Lady Zhao.

This was crystal clear.

Qin Yuan nodded and said, "We shall act as the Marquis instructs; the Marquis will naturally inform the elder lady."

Sixth Lady Gu regained her composure, laughed dryly, and said, "Indeed, I meddled. It turns out that maid was foolish and displeased my third brother."

Qin Yuan shook her head, "Not at all, not at all."

Sixth Lady Gu grasped the round fan’s handle tightly and smiled, asking, "What does my sister-in-law mean?"

"She is foolish, but she didn’t upset the Marquis; he didn’t know she was the one who came."

Sixth Lady Gu’s face froze.

Had she not been talkative, Bai Que could have been in Fengxuan Pavilion without issue now.

A miscalculation.

Bai Que’s parents would surely resent her!

Sixth Lady Gu resentfully said, "Sister-in-law, I have other matters to attend to and won’t disturb you further. Just await my sister-in-law’s word regarding the pepper."

Qin Yuan nodded, grateful, "On such a hot day, having my younger sister-in-law go this far truly shows concern for my matters; no question of disturbance here."

Sixth Lady Gu no longer wished to linger and rose, saying, "We’re leaving now."

Qin Yuan escorted them all the way to the gate of Wutong Garden before turning back.

Hong Ye held back her laughter so much it hurt, saying, "Sixth Lady Gu’s face looked truly unpleasant."

Cui Ming said, "She schemes much; bringing so many housekeeper mothers to ask the lady to lead them to prosperity. If the lady helps them profit, the favor still belongs to Sixth Lady Gu. If they lose money, the blame falls entirely on the lady."

Hong Ye said, "We can’t call her ’miss’; we should say ’madam’ to prevent slip-ups in front of the Marquis."

Gu Jinghui thus enhanced Hong Ye’s stature, turning her towards Gu Jinghui.

Qin Yuan chuckled softly.

Hong Ye was straightforward, quick-mouthed; Marquis Gu could still accept such people.

Hong Ye added, "Her little schemes couldn’t deceive us, let alone Madam."

Cui Ming said, "Her meticulous planning, she’s bound to falter at some point. I’m somewhat worried that the batch of pepper she spoke of might have an issue."

Qin Yuan replied, "We’ll see in due course. It probably won’t, as Sixth Lady Gu wants me to quickly buy into pepper to avoid prolonged uncertainty."

Sixth Lady Gu indeed had this intention.

She urgently ordered Nanny Zhao, "Hurry to check and hasten, examine the quality of pepper, and ask for the base price."

Nanny Zhao knew she wanted Qin Yuan to suffer a loss, and said, "Won’t we seize the opportunity to profit this time?"

Sixth Lady Gu shook her head.

"My sister-in-law appears young yet is very cautious; maybe it’s honing from her mother. If there’s any manipulation with pepper, she will surely notice, and to gain her trust, I must be sincere."

Nanny Zhao then abandoned the idea of tampering.

Though it felt a pity, her master spoke wisely.

Sixth Lady Gu said, "We must hurry to make her buy the pepper and seal the deal."

Nanny Zhao suddenly realized.

"Yes, once she buys it, she’s destined to lose."

Sixth Lady Gu had gathered much information, having managed the Marquis Mansion’s finances for years, her intelligence well-informed, confirming Manager Leng’s statements.

Qin Yuan’s business would certainly incur a loss.

Having faced setbacks herself and seeing Fengxuan Pavilion’s influence waning, she was eager to dig a pit for Qin Yuan.

"Not every omen seen in a dream proves true."

Nanny Zhao darted out to relay the message, encountering several housekeeper mothers at the second gate, listening while they chatted with Mrs. Cai; she stopped to cheerfully ask, "Is everyone contributing?"

"Yes, yes, we’re pitching in to follow Sixth Lady Gu and Nanny Zhao to bask in the Third Lady’s financial luck."

Nanny Zhao chuckled, and swiftly left through the second gate.

Housekeeper mothers said to Mrs. Cai, "You didn’t go to Wutong Garden earlier, didn’t know the Marquis genuinely grew tired of that side, or perhaps you foresaw it."

Mrs. Cai was confused.

"That side?"

The housekeeper mothers motioned with their chins towards Fengxuan Pavilion.

Mrs. Cai understood, asked, "What happened?"

They were suddenly much closer to her.

In recent days, because of Sixth Lady Gu’s unfavorable attitude, the housekeeper mothers deliberately distanced themselves from her, occasionally making snide comments about her clinging to the Marchioness’s thigh under the guise of fixing a small kitchen to make a fortune alone.

Mrs. Cai felt uncomfortable, yet had no solution, didn’t expect these people suddenly switched demeanor, cornering her at the second gate, enthusiastically speaking.

She accepted it with a smile like someone who readily accepts warm smiles.

"Something’s causing trouble at Fengxuan Pavilion again; Bai Que, the little wench, stood under the sun to see the Marquis, suffered heatstroke without a glimpse."

"More than that, Sixth Lady Gu mentioned it, the Marchioness said they hadn’t known it was Bai Que, and the Marquis also said Bai Que is brainless, suggesting to release her. Had Bai Que not wanted Sixth Lady Gu to seek justice, she might still be fine."

"Heh, now Bai Que’s parents will be gobsmacked; earlier fantasies of a sparrow turning into a phoenix seemed real."

Mrs. Cai curiously asked, "Sparrow to phoenix? Bai Que wanted to be someone’s concubine?"