Gu Jinghui remained silent, clearly feeling uneasy about the actions of the dragon-phoenix twins.
Sixth Master Gu said, "Third Brother, I’m going to Mrs. Xu’s to see the children. Consider what I said carefully."
With that, Sixth Master Gu left with his servant.
Leaving Marquis Gu alone in a daze.
Qin Yuan returned to Wutong Garden and immediately sent Hong Ye to find Xiao Hong to inquire about how the dragon-phoenix twins slipped out of the main house, and for what purpose.
Hong Ye saw her serious demeanor and asked no more, quickly departing.
Cui Ming asked, "Miss, do you feel something’s amiss?"
Qin Yuan replied, "Brother Cheng and Sister Yu have been increasingly obedient in the main house these days, thinking they’ve understood their situation. Their sudden commotion today is suspicious. I previously instructed the Housekeeper to have people guard the second gate, but it’s merely a precaution."
She also wondered whether the dragon-phoenix twins genuinely just wanted to see what the princess looked like, or if they had other intentions.
Cui Ming was startled, "They’re not even six years old."
Qin Yuan said, "Marquis believes Mrs. Zhao to be a harmless, weak woman, and empathizes with her for having fatherless children."
But they all saw clearly what kind of person Mrs. Zhao is.
Cui Ming said nothing further.
Qin Yuan continued, "Given the current situation at the Marquis Mansion, I’d rather mistakenly suspect than let something slip."
Cui Ming said, "Indeed, we should be cautious. These days, everyone thinks the estate is about to open, and there’s been some laxity. But Mrs. Zhao and Miss Xu haven’t been found, the Magistrate hasn’t concluded the case, and we don’t know what might happen next."
Qin Yuan nodded, "You’re right. Our courtyard must remain vigilant, make sure everyone wears aprons, wash hands, and burn incense without omission. Get a message to Doctor Li, reminding him not to relax in these final days and to frequently visit the main house to check pulses."
Cui Ming hurriedly replied, "Yes."
As Marquis Gu entered Wutong Garden to have lunch, a nanny stopped him at the courtyard gate, had him burn incense and clean his hands before allowing him in. Seeing everyone entering and exiting with aprons, he felt strange and asked, "What’s wrong?"
It hadn’t been like this the previous days; why so strict suddenly today?
Qin Yuan replied, "It’s just a precaution. The estate hasn’t opened yet, better not to be careless."
Marquis Gu frowned, glanced at Qin Yuan, and directly asked, "Yuan’er, do you think there’s something wrong with Brother Cheng and Sister Yu?"
Qin Yuan replied with a question, "Did you send Sixteen because you discovered something?"
Marquis Gu said, "No, he saw Xiao Hong and Hong Ye talking and reported back to me."
Xiao Hong and Hong Ye talking together was clearly about the twins.
Marquis Gu had already instructed Gu Shiliu to investigate, yet Qin Yuan seemed still uneasy.
Qin Yuan looked him in the eye gracefully and said, "Hong Ye hasn’t returned yet, let’s wait until she does."
Marquis Gu’s heart sank.
Qin Yuan’s reactions indicated suspicion towards the dragon-phoenix twins.
His young wife was astute and sociable since entering the mansion, now...
As they spoke, Hong Ye returned from the main house and exclaimed as she entered, "Goodness, Miss..."
Seeing Marquis Gu and Qin Yuan looking at her, Hong Ye hesitated, "Marquis..."
Marquis Gu’s face turned grim, "Speak, what’s the matter?"
Hong Ye’s eyes shifted slightly, waiting for Qin Yuan’s signal.
Qin Yuan smiled, "Go on, what did you find out?"
Hong Ye composed herself and said, "Xiao Hong didn’t notice when they slipped away. The gate nanny didn’t see them either. Xiao Hong said they might have crawled through the dog hole. The Old Madam keeps a dog that loves squeezing through the dog hole, so they specially kept a sizable hole for the dog’s convenience."
Qin Yuan asked, "Wasn’t Xiao Hong always with them?"
"Xiao Hong said Brother Cheng was upset over learning to write, so he whispered with Sister Yu, and she didn’t expect them to sneak out through the dog hole in such a short time."
"Xiao Hong and I even checked the dog hole; there are traces of climbing in and out."
As Hong Ye finished speaking, she glanced at Marquis Gu’s expression and said, "Even Nanny Rong only noticed how oddly quiet the day was, briefly asked where the two kids were, but no one paid much heed, thinking the estate is sealed, the courtyard tightly watched, and Xiao Hong accompanying them, they might be reading or playing somewhere, not realizing they snuck out."