My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead-Chapter 61: Don’t Be So Heartless Toward Me

When Qin Yuan came out of the main house, the sky was already dark, and lights were lit throughout the mansion.

She hadn’t yet admired the night scene of the Marquis Mansion, so she took Hong Ye and Cui Ming for a slow walk to digest her food.

Hong Ye asked, "Madam, didn’t you want to check the accounts of the sewing room? Why did you go to the main house to accompany the Old Madam instead?"

And stayed there for so long.

Qin Yuan chuckled, "It proves when a person’s mouth is quick, their mind might turn slower. Let Cui Ming explain why I’m doing this."

Cui Ming also smiled, "I can’t predict like a divine machine, but since Madam said so, there must be a reason. I guess it has something to do with Hong Ye."

"Something to do with me?"

Hong Ye was puzzled.

Qin Yuan laughed, "Simpleton, simpleton, if it weren’t because of you, I could visit the main house tomorrow morning. Why hurry there now?"

Hong Ye looked confused.

Cui Ming said, "Bai Que was someone the Old Madam used before, allocated to Fengxuan Pavilion. It shows how much the Old Madam valued Fengxuan Pavilion and trusted Bai Que back then."

Hong Ye finally understood.

"Miss is worried Bai Que might plead with the Old Madam, but what does that have to do with me?"

Cui Ming also looked at Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan smiled and pointed at her, "Within the Marquis Mansion, the servants are intertwined, all born into the household. Bai Que, who is valued, dared to stand at Wutong Garden’s gate with airs, causing the Sixth Madam to ask about me in public. It shows Bai Que’s parents must have some status with the Old Madam."

Hong Ye suddenly realized.

"No wonder, entering the main house, the Old Madam looked worried. Miss is worried Bai Que might blame me?"

Qin Yuan shook her head, "That’s under Marquis Gu’s orders. What would it matter if she blames you? Although servants can have status, they can’t disregard the Marquis. They can only plead with the Old Madam, plead with Marquis Gu."

"Everyone sent from Fengxuan Pavilion to invite the Marquis are self-assured, showing no respect for Wutong Garden. I observed coldly; Fengxuan Pavilion, up and down, already sees Lady Zhao as the future mistress of the mansion, suppressing Wutong Garden. Whatever benefits Lady Zhao has promised them, I don’t know. But following today’s uproar, they’ve lost those benefits, and can’t even stay within the mansion. How can they let it rest?"

"They can’t trouble me, so naturally they’ll blame you. Therefore, Bai Que absolutely cannot stay in the Marquis Mansion."

Hong Ye is her personal maid, esteemed in her past life and must not have any missteps in this life either.

She must first completely eradicate Lady Zhao’s henchmen to be at ease.

Hong Ye said, "Miss sure is cautious in her conduct. I’ll have to be more mindful in the future."

Qin Yuan said, "That’s good, but there’s no need for you to be timid and change your nature. As long as I can protect you, don’t worry."

If someone deliberately plots against you, caution is useless.

Better to be smart and ensure everything is done thoroughly.

Hong Ye sighed, "There are too few people around Miss that can be relied upon. When can those young maids be quickly promoted?"

Qin Yuan replied, "No rush."

Hong Ye asked again, "I see Xiao Hong is quite clever, has a good memory. Why doesn’t the master bring her in to serve at Wutong Garden?"

The Marquis already consented, and Xiao Hong wants to come; why not bring her?

Qin Yuan said, "It’s precisely because she’s clever and quick-witted that I need to observe a bit longer. If she’s not firm-minded and changes her disposition halfway, it’s better to have someone not as smart but steady in character. It’s known that the smarter ones can pose greater harm. Compare to cleverness, I value loyalty more."

These two maids are very loyal.

She trusts them with her back, knowing they won’t betray her or strike in a moment of dire crisis.

Hong Ye laughed, "I suppose Miss is complimenting me."

Cui Ming couldn’t help but laugh too.

Qin Yuan said, "You two grew up with me. Though we’re master and servants, we share the bond of sisters; none can compare."

With such words, the two maids’ eyes brimmed with tears.

Qin Yuan quickly changed the subject, "If Xiao Hong is good, she can also become my support in the future. You’re Big Red, she’s Little Red, let her follow you."

Hong Ye, drying her tears, retorted, "Miss has read so many books, as a scholar, how could the naming be so tasteless? If Xiao Hong comes, will you still call me Big Red?"

Qin Yuan: "Why not? Great vulgarity translates to great elegance. What’s wrong with being someone important?"

Back then, living in Qin Family’s back courtyard, she hid her sharpness in everything. Even Hong Ye Cui Ming’s names were chosen after much consideration.

Cui Ming laughed, "I don’t mind. Let the one following me be called Little Green."

The three of them laughed and talked, not yet reaching Wutong Garden, when they spotted several figures standing by the garden gate, with faint sobbing sounds.

Hong Ye was impatient, "What’s this now? Why is trouble always headed to Wutong Garden?"

Cui Ming pulled her.

Turning around, Hong Ye saw Qin Yuan stopped, showing an odd expression.

"What’s wrong?" Hong Ye couldn’t help but lower her voice.

"Let’s stay in the shadows for now."

Qin Yuan whispered, "If I’m not mistaken, it’s Lady Zhao and those two children ahead."

Indeed, she did not wish for an encounter with those mother and children.

Whatever trouble Gu Jinghui caused, let him handle it.

If Marquis Gu can’t manage, isn’t there still Old Madam Gu?

Hong Ye secretly regretted, sighed, "Alright."

Just as Qin Yuan was about to turn elsewhere, she heard Gu Jinghui call out loudly, "Yuan’er, why are you only coming back now? I’m drunk."

Qin Yuan: "..."

Marquis Gu is really sharp-eyed.

The sobbing suddenly stopped, and all those standing at the garden gate turned to look over.

Qin Yuan had no choice but to bring Hong Ye and Cui Ming forward.

"Did husband drink?"

Qin Yuan’s voice was gentle, though it seemed like a simple question, it felt to the ear as if she was being coy.

Gu Jinghui’s voice softened too, complaining, "Indeed, I drank. Why were you at mother’s for so long?"

His tone was extremely intimate.

Qin Yuan smiled as she approached, "Mother kept me for a chat."

At a glance, she saw Lady Zhao dressed in plain attire, a small white flower tucked beside her temple. Her face flushed with disease-like redness, full of tear marks, she seemed unsteady, with two children of similar height beside her.

These were the dragon and phoenix twins.

Their resemblance was strong; both wore plain silk clothes, the boy robust, the girl softer.

They didn’t seem like five-year-olds, probably about six or seven.

Lady Zhao’s stature was average, implying their father was tall and well-built.

However, they still didn’t seem like Gu Jinghui’s children.

The children, unskilled in hiding emotions, stared at her with hostile eyes.

Evidently, in their eyes, she was the one who took away their "father" and caused their mother grief.

Before Qin Yuan could speak to Lady Zhao, Gu Jinghui had already pulled her to his side, "Father-in-law invited me for drinks, even sent books. Not seeing you for so long makes me anxious."

Lady Zhao swayed as if about to collapse.

Qin Yuan: "..."

Is Marquis Gu using her to make Lady Zhao give up?

She smiled at Lady Zhao, "Looks like Marquis Gu is truly drunk, even speaking gibberish."

Lady Zhao’s tears flowed fiercely, chokingly said, "Madam, I, I have matters to plead with the Marquis. I only ask Madam, please don’t hold a grudge; speak kindly to the Marquis. Even for the children’s sake, don’t be so heartless towards me."