My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead-Chapter 159: The Messenger Pigeon Arrives

Gu Jinghui had practiced martial arts in Wutong Garden, but it was just ordinary exercises like lifting stone locks, horse stance training, and boxing, never had he displayed such skill openly before everyone.

Everyone was left speechless, exclaiming in surprise: "The Marquis is truly impressive."

Hong Ye wanted to praise him further, but upon turning her head, she saw Yuan’er staring brightly in the direction where Marquis Gu had disappeared, deep in thought.

Instantly, a smile emerged on Hong Ye’s face.

She thought, how could the young lady not care about the Marquis?

The Marquis is so skilled in martial arts and so handsome, who wouldn’t be mesmerized?

Now that annoying Mrs. Zhao is gone, the young lady and the Marquis can share their joys and hardships, eventually consummate their marriage, have a son, and enjoy a lifetime of happiness.

After a moment, Yuan’er retracted her gaze, saying, "Let’s all return to the house and quickly change clothes."

Hong Ye didn’t say much and promptly followed Cui Ming to serve Yuan’er.

Due to the imperial decree requiring formal attire, Yuan’er had Cui Ming apply heavy makeup and change into formal clothes, waiting for news while she sat upright in the main hall, ordering people to report matters in sequence.

Yuan’er had already instructed Cui Ming and Hong Ye to note down relevant information from previous years’ account books and plan in advance for material and silver allocation.

When stewards and housekeepers came to report, if the matters were similar to previous years, she approved them directly; if there were differences, she would have them explained in detail.

Cui Ming and Hong Ye managed the material slips and account books, keeping everything clear and well-organized.

Despite the comings and goings, Yuan’er handled things unobtrusively and with clarity.

Even so, Yuan’er was not satisfied and privately said, "Now there is a smallpox outbreak in the mansion, and I’ve just taken charge of so many matters, I don’t have time to examine them closely. We’ll deal with it smoothly after the crisis passes."

Hong Ye said to Cui Ming, "The young lady is too ambitious. Being able to manage so many account books and matters without mistakes is already remarkable, yet she strives for perfection."

Cui Ming, who had assisted Yuan’er in reorganizing the sewing room, said, "The young lady can achieve whatever she sets out to do. Take the sewing room, for instance. The materials and stitches are managed more meticulously now, and the nannies dare not embezzle or act carelessly anymore, competing with each other without doing their jobs. Just with the management of the sewing room alone, the mansion could save close to 600 taels of silver a year, and that’s without much profit margin."

Hearing this, Hong Ye was greatly shocked, saying: "Then for the inner courtyard and outer courtyard combined, I wonder how much silver can be saved each year?"

Cui Ming said: "What do you think?" as she gestured to Hong Ye, "I can’t guess this number, since you’ve been managing the accounts with the young lady, how much silver do you think Sixth Madam can accrue? How much silver can all the stewards and housekeepers accrue?"

Hong Ye cautiously noted the material and accounted, pondering the expenditures for these items.

After busying themselves for about an hour, the housekeepers were gone, yet most of the stewards remained in the courtyard, leaving Hong Ye murmuring, "How exactly is this decree to be received?"

Yuan’er said: "I fear the Marquis will receive it personally."

Given the long time without any updates, it seemed Marquis Gu had listened to the decree alone.

Hong Ye was somewhat curious: "Did they reopen the mansion?"

Yuan’er replied, "That depends on the emissary announcing the decree. Who would dare refuse the imperial decree at their door?"

From the corridor, the young maid’s voice was heard, "Greetings to the Marquis."

The reporting stewards quickly stood aside, while Yuan’er rose to her feet, walking two steps, and Gu Jinghui already strode in, accompanied by a young man.

This man had bright, handsome eyes, a cloth covering his face, wearing a honey-colored long robe, carrying a medicine box, and matched Sixth Master Gu in height.

Gu Jinghui said, "Madam, just now the Holy Emperor issued an edict, commending Dingbei Marquis Mansion for maintaining composure amidst chaos, granting a self-established Marquis Mansion, and specifically sent Doctor Liu from the Imperial Hospital for assistance."

It looked like this man with the cloth facecover was Doctor Liu.

Yuan’er felt relieved, the Emperor did not blame Dingbei Marquis, and even sent an Imperial Physician into the mansion, confirming her judgment, indicating that Marquis Gu was favored by the Emperor.

This was good news.

Gu Jinghui turned to Doctor Liu, saying: "This is my wife; she knows some medicinal herbs and excels at aroma matching, and the healing incense used in the mansion was blended by her."

Doctor Liu greeted Yuan’er.

Yuan’er then asked: "How does the Marquis plan to arrange for Doctor Liu?"

Before Gu Jinghui could speak, Doctor Liu said: "I would be fine staying next to the courtyard where madam houses the patients."

Gu Jinghui smiled, "Just now, Doctor Liu inquired about the mansion’s arrangement, saying madam’s arrangement is excellent, and the precautions are well done. He will stay beside the isolated courtyard, for convenience."

Yuan’er glanced at Doctor Liu.

She employed epidemic prevention methods learned from her previous life, and with Renhe Hall’s prescription as a foundation, the early discovery of the illness didn’t make her panic.

However, unexpectedly emerged Doctor Liu, of unknown means.

Due to her maternal grandfather being entangled in palace intrigue, Doctor Li always complained about the Imperial Hospital being more focused on internal struggles than healing, leaving Yuan’er unimpressed with the Imperial Physicians.

"Doctor Liu shows great empathy, I will surely arrange everything properly. Cui Ming, you are in charge of cleaning Doctor Liu’s room, changing furniture and bedding, and arranging two servants to attend him."

Doctor Liu said: "Thank you, madam."

Yuan’er thought, he seemed reliable and quiet. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Cui Ming and Housekeeper Zhang together went to arrange Doctor Liu’s accommodation, Gu Jinghui personally escorted him there and ordered food and drink prepared before returning.

By this time, Yuan’er had changed her attire, with her hair loosely styled in a low bun, using pearl-encrusted hairpins in layers, looking neat and refreshing.

Gu Jinghui entered, promptly stating, "Yuan’er, your memorial was excellently written. The Emperor not only didn’t blame me but also said Dingbei Marquis Mansion’s self-request to establish residence was a righteous act, and this Doctor Liu recommended himself. It’s said it’s easy to add favor, but difficult to aid in adversity. Arrange well, do not neglect him."

"Recommended himself?"

Yuan’er was puzzled.

Gu Jinghui stated, "Originally, the Emperor hadn’t planned this, but convened Imperial Physicians for discussion; Doctor Liu suggested installing an Imperial Physician in the Marquis Mansion just in case. The previous physician took leave due to family issues, and he, without family bondage and having seen the medical case, volunteered to come."

Yuan’er frowned in thought, unable to recall Doctor Liu in the Imperial Hospital in her previous life.

Perhaps this person was no longer with the Imperial Hospital after Lin Ziqi returned to capital for duty.

Yuan’er said: "What you say is true, his intentions are good, we must host well. However, with smallpox in the mansion, it’s unsuitable to drink wine, and meals must be meticulously considered. How about tentatively marking it, and wait until the mansion opens to treat him well, what do you think?"

Gu Jinghui had no objections.

In the evening, Doctor Liu finished examining the patients, returned to his room, and after changing clothes, relaxed in the courtyard.

Servants had gone to fetch water, leaving the place quiet and deserted, Doctor Liu placed his hand to his mouth, gave a whistle, then a grey carrier pigeon flew into the courtyard.