Hong Ye said: "This was sent by Gu Shiliu, painted by the Marquis."
"Oh?"
Cui Ming stared and examined closely.
A plump horse had a pair of fleshy wings; if not for its horse head and horse hooves, it very much resembled a fat old hen.
"...This is..."
Cui Ming was puzzled beyond comprehension and looked up at Hong Ye.
Hong Ye turned and held a cup of honey water, saying, "Miss knows you are tired, afraid you’ll get heated, drink this."
Cui Ming took it and gulped it down.
Still couldn’t help but ask, "What is this for?"
The little flying horse only occupied a corner of the paper, not like a painting.
Hong Ye whispered: "It’s none of your concern, this is the emblem the Marquis wants Miss to embroider on her clothes."
Cui Ming was very puzzled.
"...This...why bother..."
It’s not good-looking at all.
Why embroider this on clothing, if others see it and ask, wouldn’t it ruin Miss’s reputation?
Moreover, the horse and wings are so labor-intensive.
Qin Yuan had finished washing up, came out and heard, then said: "The Marquis was momentarily inspired, leave it there, after the mourning is done, I will ask him."
Cui Ming nodded heavily.
This thing, even the embroideresses in the sewing room are unwilling to embroider, let alone Miss, it’s simply baffling.
In the following days, members of the Gu family came to mourn, and people from the Xu family also came daily, as if they did not intend to be hostile.
Steward Qian also asked Housekeeper Han: "The Xu family’s father and son are coming diligently, is it that they won’t cause trouble?"
Housekeeper Han said: "Who knows what their intentions are, maybe they plan to cause a scene in public after reporting the mourning, anyway, we should be prepared, I see Sixth Master is not planning to withdraw the case."
Not planning to withdraw the case, this means that regardless of whether the Xu family reports or not, the Marquis Mansion will pursue it.
Steward Qian responded, saying: "I also think we shouldn’t let them go, although we want Sixth Madam to rest in peace, if we don’t pursue it, wouldn’t it encourage the Xu family’s habits, maybe Sixth Master will marry a new wife in the future and they will cause another scene, and there’s also the matter of the young master and young miss."
These ties are numerous indeed.
The Xu family isn’t really a good marriage alliance.
Housekeeper Han remained silent.
Mr. Xu is thick-skinned, feeling nothing, while Mrs. Xu sat restlessly in the back courtyard.
Sixth Master Gu and Qin Yuan treated them indifferently, not losing etiquette but also not warm.
They are the hosts, meeting briefly and then busying with other things, others also didn’t engage in conversation, Mrs. Xu could only sit idly, listening to others gossip.
Even the children born by Sixth Lady Gu kept their distance from her, but Mr. Xu brought his son, with thick skin, thus more at ease.
Because the next day was the official funeral, relatives, old friends, colleagues, and distant relatives would all come for mourning, everyone dispersed early, Mr. Xu stayed till the end, seized an opportunity, and stopped Sixth Master Gu to talk in the corner.
"Brother-in-law, I haven’t treated you poorly, have I?"
Sixth Master Gu stepped back half a step, his peach blossom eyes wide open, his hands on his sides tightly clenched into fists, coldly asked: "I don’t know what brother-in-law means by this?"
He wanted to see what face the Xu family, who took advantage of the Marquis Mansion yet wanted to falsely accuse, had to say such words.
Mr. Xu ignored his coldness, full of smiles, leaned closer and whispered: "If not for me mentioning it publicly that day, how could brother-in-law obtain a position, the Marquis Mansion is neither short of money nor connections, over the years, if there had been intent, a position should have been found for brother-in-law long ago, but brother-in-law is a concubine’s son, no matter how much the Marquis cares for you, how much effort can he exert."
Sixth Master Gu remained silent, only coldly staring at Mr. Xu.
Mr. Xu continued: "Over these years, my sister garnered a lot of benefits marrying into the Marquis Mansion, but she also didn’t spare effort for you, I have this concern also for my sister and nephews. Now inside and outside the Marquis Mansion is controlled by your third sister-in-law, it’s not like when my sister managed the rear courtyard. Such a big family business, you should care, as they say, a hero needs three supports, a fence needs three posts, if you’re willing, our Xu family will support you."
Sixth Master Gu sneered: "Did you take the wrong medicine or drink too much? Is my third brother not having children?"
Mr. Xu laughed proudly: "Why are you playing dumb with me? It’s spread everywhere outside, that the Marquis was injured in the Northern Border, harming his progenitive ability. You know weapons have no eyes, once injured to the root, even if Hua Tuo was reborn he couldn’t fix it. You’re the Marquis’s closest blood relative, naturally your son would be adopted if needed, you already have two legitimate sons, one must be chosen."
Sixth Master Gu was shocked and angry.
"Stop spouting nonsense, my third brother is healthy, who spread these rumors!"
Mr. Xu snorted loudly, saying: "There’s no smoke without fire, even if you want to cover it, it’s useless."