Chapter 721: Missing Without a Trace

Chapter 721: Chapter 721: Missing Without a Trace

The two stubborn ones refused to yield, their hatred boundless.

Qin Yuan sat amongst them, seemingly unbothered, quietly staying out of the fray.

In the end, Gu Baoshu stomped her foot and said, "I know I have no say in these matters. Out of the blue, I’m sent to White Crane Academy to study, and refusal is not an option. Now that I’ve taken an interest, I’m not allowed to go. Is this how you act as my third brother?"

Fuming, she flung the curtain aside and left.

Marquis Gu complained to Qin Yuan, "She has no respect for elders, unlike a proper young lady."

Qin Yuan asked, "Do you not want her to leave?"

Marquis Gu whispered, "Now that King Jin is missing, and Earl Chengen has been overthrown by Chief Minister Pan, the Crown Prince has lost his power, sickly and of no threat, who would remember her now? Even if they did, all they can do is think. I was reluctant to let her go before."

Qin Yuan lowered her eyes, pondering the phrase ’missing,’ thinking to herself that this man truly has audacity.

Though last night’s chaos in the city, with Black Wind Village purging through violence, who could be sure a Prince was not among them.

Qin Yuan slowly said, "If that’s the case, our Marquis Mansion need not fear, but Baoshu’s actions have been somewhat reckless lately. It would be better to wait until the accusations against scholars Lin and Wu are cleared, then send her away from the city to lay low."

Marquis Gu remembered the scandal Gu Baoshu caused in public, feeling mostly disheartened, he sighed and said, "So be it, I must consult with Mother first."

Gu Baoshu is Mother’s darling; any misstep and Mother would hold onto it for a lifetime.

Seeing that it was nearing the third watch, the two tidied up and slept, but Qin Yuan tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

She wanted to ask about King Jin’s situation, but knew it was not her place.

Marquis Gu asked, "What’s the matter?"

Qin Yuan replied, "Yesterday in the palace, Yang’er and Hehua saw everything."

Implying how to handle these two martial maids.

Marquis Gu was indifferent, "Use them as you need. The news of King Jin’s disappearance won’t come out quickly; the Emperor needs to save face."

Qin Yuan discerned the underlying meaning: by the time the news breaks, all necessary arrangements will have been made.

She then said, "It’s so urgent?"

Marquis Gu responded, "Not really urgent. Mr. Songshan once said, revenge is a righteous act. The ’Spring and Autumn Annals’ tells many stories of revenge. Even common folk can avenge their fathers and brothers, their friends. As the Great Xing War God, a direct descendant of the Gu Family, would I be lesser than others? This hatred has weighed on my heart for over ten years; even if revenge is best served ten years later, now the time has come."

Qin Yuan nodded, "It’s good that you know your heart."

Marquis Gu hesitated for a moment, then said, "You’ve just secured a bright future for the Gu Family’s descendants; how could I let your plans go to waste? If you’re worried, you can consult with Mr. Songshan in the future."

Qin Yuan didn’t refuse, eager even, "Alright."

In the dark, Marquis Gu smiled smugly, holding her tighter, gently speaking, "Let’s sleep."

The next day, Qin Yuan awoke to find the bed beside her already cold, knowing Marquis Gu must have left before dawn.

Indeed, when she called a servant to ask, Marquis Gu had left the mansion before the fourth watch.

"Even a body of iron can’t endure such strain," Hong Ye couldn’t help but murmur.

Qin Yuan replied, "Are you acting like the elders of others’ elders?"

Hong Ye’s face turned red, "Miss, listen to yourself! I was just expressing some feelings, and you’re teasing me with such literary phrases."

Qin Yuan said, "Surely a girl grows up and can’t be kept, always turning against us; I say one word, and you read into it many meanings. What are you thinking to interpret it this way?"

Hong Ye annoyedly said, "I won’t talk to you anymore, Miss, you’re awful."

She lifted the curtain and ran out, bumping into the incoming Mo Zhu, and quickly regained her composure, walking with the dignity of a head maid.

Mo Zhu pursed her lips.

"What is it?" Qin Yuan asked.

Mo Zhu said, "Mr. Songshan sent Brother Qi to ask when Madam would have time to discuss important matters of the household."

"The important matters of the household," Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Let us discuss that after I return from Mother-in-law’s chamber."

For a daughter-in-law, serving one’s mother-in-law is the foremost responsibility.

Mo Zhu smiled, "When Old Madam sees you, she can even eat an extra bowl of rice."

Qin Yuan said, "Today might be different."

With Gu Baoshu around, it’s uncertain whether Old Madam will even have an appetite.

Qin Yuan, accompanied by her maids, went to the upper chamber. As soon as she lifted the curtain, she was tackled by Sister Lan, "Aunt, Lilin is so good today, allowing me to hold her. Aunt, have a look, isn’t she well-behaved?"

Qin Yuan looked down, seeing the black-and-white mix of Lilin nestled in Sister Lan’s arms, only showing her eyes, with one hidden among the dense black fur, hard to see clearly.

Qin Yuan said, "Sister Lan is really impressive."

Sister Lan laughed, "Nanny Rong said all things have emotion. As long as you are sincere, Lilin will like me too. Just a few days ago, she wouldn’t let me touch her, and now she lets me pet her."

Lilin is very tolerant of children, not necessarily so with adults.

Qin Yuan didn’t reveal the truth, but went along with Sister Lan, "Yes, persistent thoughts will have echoes, kind hearts and intentions bear good fruit. If one day Lilin won’t let you touch her, it might be for your own good; just go along with her wishes. If you want to cuddle Lilin, just get another one; don’t dwell needlessly."

Sister Lan earnestly said, "I’ll remember, you can’t pursue those stubbornly. Brother said there was someone named Zhou Yu who made himself angry by pursuing stubbornly, died from it, and the story turned into a joke. I want to live a long life to take good care of my dad. If others get angry, I won’t."

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but gently stroke the top of Sister Lan’s head.

"What a magnanimous child, don’t ever forget that in the future either."

Inside, Gu Baoshu said upon hearing, "Mother, you see, even Sister Lan knows not to get angry. You’re older now; you surely can’t be less understanding than Sister Lan."

Old Madam Gu angrily replied, "Are you as well-behaved as Sister Lan? She knows she must live long to be filial to her father, while you’re always raising a ruckus, now disrespecting your mother by comparing her unfavorably to your niece. Shall we let your third sister-in-law settle it, agreeable or not?"

"Third sister-in-law, come quickly," Gu Baoshu jumped up.

Old Madam Gu shook her head at the sight.

Qin Yuan laughed, "Do you have something delicious? I’ve been eagerly waiting to come and eat something nice from you, Mother."

Old Madam Gu’s anger turned to joy, and she beckoned, "Good child, come sit. Seeing such an obedient and beautiful daughter-in-law, I’ll live a few more years; Old Third and Baoshu just want to anger me."

Qin Yuan hurriedly sat beside her, sweet-talking and making Old Madam happy. Having finished the meal, Qin Yuan signaled to Gu Baoshu with her eyes. Gu Baoshu said, "I’ll head back to the courtyard to sort my things."

"What things are you sorting?" Old Madam Gu’s voice turned stern again.

Gu Baoshu said, "Naturally, the items for going to White Crane Academy; my garments and valuables must be organized and entrusted, or they’ll all become a muddled account by the time I return. Besides, I have two businesses running, someone must be mindful of managing them."