After a while, Qin Yuan asked, "What did the Marquis say?"
Gu Shiliu replied, "The Marquis said to keep a closer watch on the Xu family."
Qin Yuan nodded, seemingly agreeing that it was the only course of action.
Gu Shiliu said, "The girl the Xu family wants to send to the King Jin Mansion is called Xu Yuan. She’s about the same age as Xu Zhen, maybe a bit older. There’s no adult in her family, so she’s raised at Mr. Xu’s house. Her biological brother is called Xu Tang. It’s said that Yelv Guza appreciates him and even asked the scholar to recommend him to work at Prince Qi Mansion, which Prince Qi certainly wouldn’t refuse."
Qin Yuan nodded. Prince Qi is the former Crown Prince’s full brother. Now that the Crown Prince, born to Empress Lin, is frail, the Emperor feels guilty and wary towards Prince Qi. Prince Qi must not be too ambitious.
Xu Tang can play cuju, and with the scholar’s recommendation, indeed, it’s unlikely to be refused.
Cui Ming suddenly spoke, "So they are siblings. Does Madam remember? That day, the Xu family was too afraid to death to face Sixth Madam in the inner courtyard to argue," she said with a sneer, continuing, "Mr. Xu wanted to send Xu Yuan to the inner courtyard, but Xu Tang was unwilling and was sneered at by the Xu family, saying they raised this brother and sister in vain. Xu Tang insisted on not allowing Xu Yuan to go, and finally, it was the Xu family’s eldest daughter-in-law who went."
"Right, right, I remember it now. Xu Tang was furious and even said Mr. Xu’s title was still granted by his father."
Gu Shiliu chuckled, "Madam and Miss Cui Ming have such good memories. So many people from the Xu family came that day, and you both remember them."
Qin Yuan said, "I heard the Xu family wanted to send a girl to King Jin Mansion. I wondered who it was, but it turned out to be her. That day, I hosted a banquet with the female relatives of the Xu family. She looked around, constantly gauging others’ reactions, hardly daring to speak, looking dull, completely unlike Zhenzhen."
Cui Ming sighed, "It’s unavoidable. Sixth Madam took fancy to Miss Zhen, invited her to stay in the mansion temporarily, and made plans for her marriage. For Xu Yuan, all that’s left for her is to be sent by her own cousin to be a concubine, without even needing to prepare a dowry, which shows she’s been treated differently since childhood."
Qin Yuan hesitated, then sipped her tea before saying, "After all, Mr. Xu holds a title and has a post, making Zhenzhen an official family’s young lady. Xu Yuan has no parents, lives with relatives, and must endure hardship. Her brother has no proper job, no elders to plan for her. Becoming King Jin’s concubine counts as a place."
Cui Ming thought for a moment and said, "Indeed, Mr. Xu inherited the title."
Gu Shiliu added, "The Xu family is in the printing money business, and Xu Tang is a talented person."
Qin Yuan nodded, "Despite the rift between these siblings and Mr. Xu, it’s not large enough to consider them enemies of the Xu family. For now, we can only wait and see. Does Sixth Master know about this?"
Gu Shiliu shook his head, "The Marquis said not to inform the Sixth Master yet. Sixth Master is currently focused on filing a reverse complaint against the Xu family."
Qin Yuan thought for a moment and then instructed Gu Shiliu a few more words. A young maid outside announced, "Doctor Li has arrived."
Gu Shiliu tactfully said, "Madam has other matters, so I shall leave now."
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "On your way back, please convey my message to Brother Qi and Old Lady Qi, asking them to come over as well. I need their help."
Gu Shiliu understood this was about Qin Yuan wanting to place Old Lady Qi next door and said, "Of course."
As he exited, he met Doctor Li and Xiao Dong, who were heading towards the hall, chatting and laughing. After greeting them, he went to the courtyard where Brother Qi lived to call for someone.
Mother and son, hearing the message, asked no questions and hurried to Wutong Garden.
Gu Shiliu walked along the road, feeling thirsty and just about to drink some tea when he saw Gu Jingcheng and his wife arriving. Mrs. Dai did not enter the outer courtyard but went straight to the inner courtyard.
"Speak of Cao Cao and he shall arrive," Gu Shiliu laughed, "The Marquis mentioned going to Mr. Cheng’s housewarming in the morning, which will help handle the recognition banquet matters more easily."
Gu Jingcheng laughed, "Haha, I came for this too. I wanted to deal with it quickly, but there are too many trivial matters."
"Moving houses is no small matter."
Gu Shiliu laughed, knowing that Gu Jingcheng’s family struggled to leave the ninth branch and wanted to celebrate proudly. However, Marquis Gu was in a hurry to move Pang Cheng and Pang Yu, the dragon and phoenix twins, next door to cast a grand net and capture Mrs. Zhao’s people in one fell swoop.
Gu Jingcheng was all smiles, nodding, "We need to send invitations, prepare to entertain guests, and invite an opera troupe to perform for a day. Family members and friends with official acquaintances mustn’t be left out, or it would be impolite."
Gu Shiliu smiled and led the guests to the outer hall, saying, "The Marquis is also eager; these days, he has free time. If the Emperor issues a decree, he might get too busy."