My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead-Chapter 80: Marquis Gu Has Returned

Cui Ming glanced at Hong Ye upon hearing this.

Under the lamp light, Qin Yuan’s expression was indistinct and impossible to discern whether she was pleased or angry. She said calmly, "No need. If he’s not back so late, clearly something important has held him up. I’m worn out from today and want to bathe and rest. When the Marquis returns, let him go to the side room."

Hong Ye peeked at Qin Yuan’s face and muttered, "But didn’t the Marquis ask the Miss to wait for him to talk?"

Qin Yuan closed the account book she had half read, saying, "It’s not a big deal, I can make the decision myself. I just think it’s good for the Marquis to know."

Hong Ye had nothing to say and looked at Cui Ming, who signaled with her eyes, saying, "Then let’s serve the Miss to rest, Hong Ye, quickly call the maids to bring hot water."

With the small kitchen, there was always hot water on the stove, making bathing and washing much more convenient.

"Alright," Hong Ye could only step out.

Cui Ming said to Qin Yuan, "I’ll find time to talk to Hong Ye. She’s worried about the Miss."

Qin Yuan replied, "I know. She just lacks patience. Some matters can’t be shared with her."

Cui Ming understood Qin Yuan’s meaning and nodded, "I also think the same."

Qin Yuan continued, "Have you thought of how to win over Mrs. Lu?"

Cui Ming asked, "Miss really wants me to offer this favor?"

"Of course. I mentioned I intend to manage the household. After you’ve been here for a few days, it’s clear the Marquis Mansion differs from the Qin Mansion. The house is vast, with many people and complex roots. Even ancestors have gone to the battlefield with the masters and earned merits. If I want to manage the household, I must have reliable support. You and Hong Ye are my reliable support. If I don’t let you offer a favor, how will you manage things?"

Cui Ming immediately said, "Miss rest assured, Cui Ming will not disappoint you."

Qin Yuan nodded, stood up, and sat in front of the mirror. Cui Ming picked up the comb to style her hair, saying, "Mrs. Lu is indeed as Nanny Rong said, lacking judgment. The accounts of the sewing room are unclear; on one hand, she embezzles, and on the other, she manages loosely. Does the Miss plan to scare her a bit, or..."

Qin Yuan picked up a Ruyi, playing with it, smiling, "Her son serves under the Marquis. I should offer her dignity, but if I just give her that, will others think that it’s enough just to have the Marquis’s request, or treat it as a get-out-of-jail-free card?"

Within this mansion, there’s more than one dignified Mrs. Lu.

Others are watching her every move, trying to see what kind of person she is.

Cui Ming sighed, "It’s indeed challenging to be both lenient and decisive."

Qin Yuan said, "I originally wanted to discuss Mrs. Lu’s matter with the Marquis tonight, but since he still hasn’t returned and must go to the Great Camp tomorrow morning, it’s better to set it aside for now, giving her a warning."

Cui Ming understood, amazed at how the Miss’s mind works, laughed, "Right, right, at that time I’ll leak the news to Mrs. Lu, letting her plead before the Marquis."

Qin Yuan nodded.

With Marquis Gu’s temperament, he wouldn’t interfere in Wutong Garden’s matters or in the affairs concerning her housekeepers.

How this favor is utilized is still her decision.

Mrs. Lu will certainly take a lesson from this, not daring to act brashly anymore.

Cui Ming asked again, "Shall I temporarily manage the housekeeper role in place of Mrs. Lu, or find another to take her place?"

Cui Ming, inherently cautious, although Qin Yuan had publicly decided to let her seek a replacement for Mrs. Lu, still insisted on confirming.

Qin Yuan said, "Just proceed as discussed before. In the future, all these housekeepers should have deputies to assist. If they don’t diligently fulfill their duties, the deputies will."

With deputies watching on the side, these housekeepers will naturally not dare idle away.

This incident will serve as the reason for Mrs. Lu.

Cui Ming smiled, "That’s brilliant. With this, they likely won’t dare pocket anything."

Qin Yuan said seriously, "Pocketing is still permissible, just not excessively. Dingbei Marquis Mansion isn’t at its end and won’t mistreat the household staff. Cui Ming, remember, if the water is too clear, there are no fish; if a person is too observant, there are no followers."

Cui Ming gently combed Qin Yuan’s waterfall-like black hair, afraid of pulling her scalp, and upon hearing, asked, "I see the rewards in the Marquis Mansion are generous. With so many people both requiring and deserving rewards, how much silver is enough? They pocket money at every turn and are always clamoring for dignity..."

In the Qin Mansion, Mrs. Cui would never allow such things.

Qin Yuan laughed, "Isn’t this because the Marquis is still at war? Mother said, as long as there’s war, there will be silver. The ancestors of the household staff have ventured through dangers with the masters. With such care, everyone feels there’s a future with the masters. If there’s no benefit from the masters, naturally they can’t be supported, they’ll consider their position later, ’adapt to the circumstances.’"

Marquis Gu is Daxing’s undefeated General, revered as the War God, naturally capable of providing for them, with everyone’s lives tied together to earn prosperity.

As for future matters, they belong to the descendants, beyond her concern.

Which family in this world remains prosperous forever?

Why worry unnecessarily?

Cui Ming puzzled, asked, "Why not reward lavishly?"

Qin Yuan sighed, "Rewards are generous, but to make someone risk their life, binding the future of a family, a clan to yours, can silver achieve that?"

Only the word ’benevolence’ can achieve it.

Silver is merely a transaction.

Upon hearing this, Cui Ming shivered, stopped asking.

At this moment, Hong Ye watched several young maids bring in hot water, adding petals and prepared incense, saying, "Miss, you can bathe now."

Qin Yuan soaked comfortably for a while before extinguishing the lamp to rest. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Hong Ye stood on the veranda, listening to the increasingly loud chirping of crickets at night, saying, "The deeper the night, the more intensely the insects chirp. It truly has a certain ambiance."

Cui Ming nudged her, whispering, "Why do you keep urging the Miss to consummate the marriage?"

Hong Ye replied, "Don’t you feel anxious?"

Cui Ming said, "I say you’re busy with nothing. Can they continue like this forever? Miss has her plans, so don’t always manage her every move under the guise of growing up together. Moreover, this matter shouldn’t be rushed by the Miss alone. The Marquis is a man; should the Miss have to chase after him eagerly? Recently, the Miss has suffered quite a bit due to Lady Zhao and her son."

The words the Miss spoke lingered in Cui Ming’s mind. The Miss has changed, and this Marquis Mansion is different from the Qin Mansion. Hong Ye must be watched carefully.

Hong Ye became silent.

Cui Ming was about to ask her when she noticed under the distant lights, a tall figure approached — Marquis Gu had returned.