My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead

Chapter 727: Chapter 727: The Ones That Got Away

"Oh dear," Mr. Songshan stretched his neck and called out: "That’s wrong, that’s wrong, let’s start over."

Qin Yuan laughed and said: "Master, in chess, one must never regret their move."

Mr. Songshan was annoyed.

"I’m just saying, really. Look at you, such a young age, yet you excel at everything and surpass everyone. How do you manage?"

Old Lady Qi chuckled and said: "Our lady is like a Bodhisattva descending to the earthly realm, combining wisdom and beauty."

Mr. Songshan was startled: "You’re here!"

Xiao Hong came over holding a fruit platter, shaking her little head and chiming in: "The lady is virtuous and blessed, that’s why she’s accomplished so much. By saying this, we too are blessed, otherwise, how could we have encountered her?"

"Ha!" Mr. Songshan raised his long slender neck and said: "Let’s talk business. A Bodhisattva can’t have an old man like me running around like a donkey, busy with this and that, not idle for a single moment."

Qin Yuan just pursed her lips and smiled.

Old Lady Qi hurriedly praised: "Master, you are capable and hence more is expected of you. In such a grand Marquis Mansion, one cannot find anyone comparable to you; hence, the duties fall upon you. Look at how my old heart aches for our lady and the Marquis, unable to find a few capable people."

Mr. Songshan felt slightly better in his heart, yet still didn’t feel like talking.

Xiao Hong put down the platter and called out: "Oh dear, Old Lady Qi is here. Do you know if the two little masters are doing well, not causing any trouble?"

Old Lady Qi laughed and said: "Xiao Hong has grown quite clever working with the lady, the lady truly knows how to teach.

On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, many burglars came to the mansion. The little masters’ Martial Arts Master went out to catch the thieves and was harmed by them, and the nanny was also injured and moved out of the courtyard.

The little ones have never experienced such things, looking quite pitiful, and clinging to Hongmian all day.

After you left, Hongmian became their first person."

Xiao Hong nodded seriously: "Sister Hongmian is clever and older than me, she is capable of making decisions for them, more suited for the task than me."

Mr. Songshan listened to their conversation with great interest.

After exchanging pleasantries, Old Lady Qi, with lowered eyebrows and downcast eyes, respectfully asked: "What instructions does the lady have?"

Qin Yuan laughed and said: "It’s Mr. Songshan seeking you and your son, there’s a big task to hand over to you."

Mr. Songshan then said: "I’m afraid you might be heading for a great achievement again, but it will be tiring; I wonder if you can endure it."

Brother Qi replied: "If it’s a big task instructed by the master, how can we not endure it? The master can simply give us the instructions."

Old Lady Qi also echoed the sentiment.

Mr. Songshan then said: "You both will guard near the large kitchen to see which rooftopper stole food from it. Once you do find traces, don’t act recklessly and simply inform Gu Ershi quietly."

"Rooftopper?" Old Lady Qi was startled, contemplated, and then whispered: "Could there be another thief from the Mid-Autumn night hiding in the Marquis Mansion?"

"It’s hard to say," Qin Yuan said: "But the search in the Capital City is very intense, hiding in the Marquis Mansion is a good strategy, as the saying goes, the darkest place is right under the light; if it hadn’t happened, we wouldn’t have thought of it."

Brother Qi hesitated and said: "The guards in the mansion are very strict, this thief is really bold."

"It shows this thief has great skills and courage, quite capable indeed," Qin Yuan said seriously: "You and your mother must be careful."

Mr. Songshan said: "Yes, you two are indispensable pillars of Feiyun Pavilion, nothing unfortunate must occur."

"Feiyun Pavilion?" Old Lady Qi was puzzled and anxiously looked at Qin Yuan.

Brother Qi had an expression of delight.

"Really, is Mr. Songshan really going to accept me into Feiyun Pavilion?"

Mr. Songshan looked at Qin Yuan with pride and loudly said: "Naturally, your skills are most suitable for Feiyun Pavilion, doing anything else would be talent wasted on trivial matters."

Qin Yuan smiled gently.

Old Lady Qi then looked at Qin Yuan, awaiting her confirmation.

Mr. Songshan turned his head and asked Qin Yuan: "Lady, what do you say?"

Qin Yuan said: "Since Mr. Songshan holds Aunt Qi in such high esteem, then let’s arrange it that way. However, Aunt Qi’s eyes have just healed and should not be overly strained, and Brother Qi is young, still growing. The master must not use them excessively, as a balance between ease and burden is the way of governance."

Mr. Songshan said: "If you truly think that way, that would be good. I’m an old man myself, can’t be excessively used."

Qin Yuan stood up and bowed: "The master is a person of great deeds, bearing the mandate of heaven, unlike us ordinary folk. Moreover, when things are not busy at the moment, later on, it might be impossible to find the time even if one wished to be busy."

Then Qin Yuan instructed: "These days Mr. Songshan has been stressing over the Marquis Mansion matters greatly, I can’t do much, only instruct the small kitchen to prepare a fine Suzhou Cuisine banquet for you, and warm some yellow wine to invite the master for a meal."

Hong Ye immediately said: "Also light the incense that Mr. Songshan likes, and since he frequently writes, the room should prepare more outer garments for him, preferably in blue silk."

Mr. Songshan then left, pleased.

Qin Yuan asked Hong Ye: "Is there anything to report today?"

Hong Ye said: "Apart from the kitchen issue, there’s nothing much, just daily matters that I and Cui Ming can handle."

Qin Yuan laughed: "Fortunately, I have you two helping out, otherwise, it would be overwhelming."

Then she got up and said: "I’ll go see Sister-in-law Cheng as I haven’t caught up with her since the Mid-Autumn festival."

Hong Ye didn’t follow, knowing she wanted to avoid Hong Mian, so Qin Yuan took Mo Zhu and Xiao Hong along.

The guest courtyard was much quieter than last time, and Mrs. Dai directly welcomed her into the inner room.

Qin Yuan smiled: "Are we going to discuss some secrets?"

"I’m feeling uneasy, the master hasn’t returned for days, only had someone deliver a message and took clean clothes."

Seeing Mrs. Dai didn’t mention the fear and chaos of the Mid-Autumn night nor inquire about the arrangements for the twins, Qin Yuan gave a silent nod of approval, saying: "Don’t worry, sister-in-law, this time many men from the Gu family have contributed to catching thieves, and the Five Cities Military Department and Patrol Camp have offered many positions, Mr. Cheng might be promoted again."

"Promoted?" Mrs. Dai was incredulous: "He’s been Commander only for a short while."

Qin Yuan laughed: "This time it should be Vice Commander."

Mrs. Dai clasped her hands in joy and said: "Amitabha Buddha, the master will be promoted, truly Amitabha Buddha. Since moving here, we’ve had nothing but good fortune."

Qin Yuan held her smile.

Outside, sounds of arguing and sharp cries of children began.

Mrs. Dai frowned in distaste, lowering her voice.

"They probably know you’re here."

Qin Yuan whispered: "Very few in the mansion know Mrs. Zhao has been captured, the Marquis likely has other plans, and will surely thank you greatly in the future."

Mrs. Dai shook her head: "Before the Marquis returned, our master did not move for years and could not even budge slightly. Now it’s like sesame blooms, advancing one step after another; we are endlessly grateful, madam, yet you speak of great thanks, it seems too formal.

The clan leader spoke recently, saying the Marquis Mansion is the root, and a deep-rooted mansion ensures flourishing branches and leaves, and everything should prioritize the mansion."

As they spoke, Xiao Hong entered and said: "Madam, Hong Mian cannot hold back Young Master Cheng and Miss Yu, they insist on greeting you."

Qin Yuan said: "I understand, allow them to come in."