Housekeeper Cao hurriedly put down the small teapot in his hand and muttered, "The mansion will be sealed tonight, it’s the lady setting the rules."
He turned and saw Sun Accountant looking indifferent, so he urged, "Don’t dawdle, hurry up."
Sun Accountant responded indifferently, and saw Housekeeper Cao had already run out.
By the time Sun Accountant came out, the front courtyard was already crowded with people.
Everyone had received the news early on, knowing that the mansion would be sealed tonight, and it would only reopen when those with smallpox were cured and no new patients appeared.
Though smallpox is a deadly thing, in recent days no new patients had appeared in the mansion. They were busy cleaning and sprinkling, drinking medicine, and burning incense, so they weren’t too panicked.
"The lady said, everywhere in the mansion has been sprinkled with lime and the medicinal fragrance is burning, when we gather together wearing bibs soaked in medicine, there’s no need to worry too much."
"Hmm, but don’t know how long it will be sealed, what about the wife and children at home without anyone to take care of them?"
"My parents are still sick, alas... how did things turn out like this?"
People whispered to each other, but together the noise grew loud, buzzing like a hive.
Gu Shiliu walked in, glanced around briefly, then walked out.
After a while, several nannies carried in incense burners and table chairs, setting them up one by one. Then they lit the incense burners, and the aroma quickly spread, somewhat bitter, somewhat pungent, with a strong mugwort scent.
"The lady will be here soon, you all wait," a nanny said loudly, "The new roster is ready, the lady is having Miss Hong Ye verify it, later on, there will be a roll call, when called, respond."
"Alright, understood."
Housekeeper Cao led the response.
When the nannies finished their tasks, Housekeeper Cao spoke up, "All of you behave yourselves, later listen carefully to the lady. Due to the smallpox situation, the lady will oversee matters of both the outer and inner courtyard, so be cautious and don’t upset the mistress. If anyone is unwise, don’t say I didn’t warn you in advance."
The courtyard immediately quieted down.
Not long after, a group of maidservants escorted Qin Yuan into the courtyard, everyone wearing bibs.
Qin Yuan donned everyday attire, her hair wrapped in a headscarf, sitting not long when Gu Shiliu hurried over, personally moving a Taishi Chair beside Qin Yuan.
"Madam, Marquis said he too would come."
Qin Yuan asked, "Did he not say he was busy earlier?"
"No matter how busy Marquis is, he will come."
Gu Shiliu said earnestly, "Marquis said madam alleviates his worries, no matter how busy he is, he will come to support madam."
Alleviate his worries?
Qin Yuan wasn’t sure which matter Gu Jinghui was referring to.
Gu Shiliu whispered, "Marquis knows Book Sea Pavilion accused our Dingbei Marquis Mansion of faking literary grace."
Qin Yuan nodded.
Gu Shiliu said, "Sixth Master was quite upset and even swore to Marquis, saying he would hang a beam and prick his thigh, aiming to make the Book Sea Pavilion owner see."
Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh, now that’s a bit challenging.
Sixth Master’s poetry wasn’t even as good as her brother Qin Heng’s.
Seeing Qin Yuan’s eyebrows arch, Gu Shiliu too smiled and said, "Sixth Master has been weak since childhood, though he loves reading, everyone fears he will tire himself. After finishing elementary school, he didn’t continue, these days he’s locked himself in the room reading poetry, and the servant stands guard outside, not letting anyone disturb him."
Qin Yuan nodded and said, "I know, when is Marquis coming?"
"Soon, Marquis walks fast, madam can begin the roll call."
Gu Shiliu immediately moved to the side, standing straight, Qin Yuan then said to Hong Ye, "You do the roll call."
Hong Ye was a bit surprised, asking, "Me?"
"Of course you," Qin Yuan chuckled a bit, "You verified the new roster."
Hong Ye asked, "Why not let the housekeeper do it?"
Qin Yuan said, "When I tell you to call, you call. In the future, this is your task, if you can’t handle it someday, arrange someone to replace you."
Hong Ye immediately said, "Then I’ll start calling."
When Qin Yuan had only a few housekeepers under her, she insisted on daily roll calls, now that she’s calling so many people, she is quite pleased.
Hong Ye opened the roster and began to call names one by one. As each name was called, the person stepped forward to indicate. Qin Yuan sat in the chair, silently matching people to names.
At some point, she felt a warmth beside her, turning her head to see Gu Jinghui sitting by her side.
"Marquis is here."
"Hmm."
After their brief exchange, Qin Yuan focused again on Hong Ye’s roll call.
Once Hong Ye finished the roll call, she asked, "Is there anyone whose name was missed? If so, come to register with me, this cannot be sloppy, future allowances and medicines will be distributed according to this roster."