Volume One: Carefree Wandering Amidst Uncertain Paper Leaves Chapter Forty-Two: The Difficult Question

When Steward Qiu saw Gu Qinghan, his previously amiable smile instantly became humble and respectful. He almost jogged over to her and said reverently, "Third Madam, I have something important to report to you."

"Have you already been to see Old Master Third?" At this moment, Gu Qinghan’s expression was composed and calm, without the slightest hint of a smile. When that beautiful face lost its warmth, not only did it appear dignified and elegant, but it also carried an innate authority.

Steward Qiu hurriedly replied, "I have. I tried to persuade Old Master Third for a long time, and now his anger has mostly subsided. However—"

"However what?" A trace of a cold smile flickered in Gu Qinghan’s eyes. "However, he still insists that Qi Yu should continue to keep vigil over the spirit?"

Steward Qiu replied with difficulty, "Third Madam, I know that since the young master has returned, it is no longer appropriate for Qi Yu to keep vigil. But Old Master Third says that even if Qi Yu is not the legitimate son, he is still of the Marquis’s blood. It would be improper if, upon the Marquis’s death, Qi Yu is not even allowed to keep vigil." He glanced toward Yang Ning before lowering his voice. "Old Master Third’s intention is that during the day, the young master should keep vigil, but at night, Qi Yu can take over. This way, the mourning hall will always have a filial descendant present, and the young master will have time to rest."

Gu Qinghan said coolly, "Steward Qiu, even if others don’t understand their intentions, you surely do. You’ve been in the marquisate for almost twenty years. You know well how the General treated you in his lifetime." She paused, her long lashes fluttering, "We must handle things according to the General’s wishes—what should be done and what should not."

Steward Qiu smiled, "You are absolutely right, Third Madam. I will follow your lead." He paused and then asked cautiously, "Shall I go back and inform Old Master Third that his suggestion cannot be accepted?"

Gu Qinghan’s elegant brows knit slightly. After a moment’s thought, she replied, "Very well, allow Qi Yu to keep vigil at night if necessary. But whenever there are guests, Ning’er must be the one to appear; all others must withdraw to the rear hall."

"Understood," Steward Qiu replied with a bow.

Gu Qinghan then gracefully walked over to Yang Ning, her beautiful face now adorned with a brilliant smile. "Ning’er, why are you still here when you’re supposed to be in the mourning hall? Are you being mischievous again?" Though her words were lightly reproachful, her tone was gentle, devoid of any real blame.

Steward Qiu, however, remained by her side. Noticing this, Gu Qinghan stopped and asked, "Is there something else, Steward Qiu?"

He hesitated before finally saying, "There is indeed a pressing matter I must discuss with you, Third Madam."

"What is it?"

Steward Qiu glanced at Yang Ning, as if reluctant to speak. Yang Ning, growing impatient, said bluntly, "Why look at me? Is it something I can’t hear?"

Steward Qiu quickly answered, "You misunderstand, Young Master. That’s not my intention at all."

"If that’s not your intention, then get on with it," Yang Ning said with a roll of his eyes, utterly irritated by Steward Qiu’s secretive manner, as if the whole world was full of secrets.

Gu Qinghan shot Yang Ning a glance, her features growing more lively and charming. She turned her delicate head toward Steward Qiu and said, "Well, what is it?"

"Well..." Steward Qiu hesitated, but finally spoke, "Third Madam, the treasury... the silver in the treasury is running dangerously low. I fear it won’t last much longer."

Gu Qinghan’s lovely features instantly grew serious. She asked, "Didn’t we just check a few days ago? How has it depleted so quickly?"

Steward Qiu smiled bitterly, "These past few days, countless nobles and officials have come to pay their respects, and all have been dining here. To maintain the marquisate’s dignity, we cannot let things appear shabby, and the expenses have been considerable. There are also many miscellaneous costs. I thought we could economize and hold out until the funds from the palace or Jiangling arrived, but in practice, the expenses have been immense. Silver flows out of the treasury like water every day." He produced an account book and presented it with both hands. "Third Madam, please take a look. Every single expense is listed in detail here."

Gu Qinghan shook her head. "If you say so, Steward Qiu, I have no reason to doubt you." She did not take the account book.

Yang Ning watched this and secretly admired Gu Qinghan’s skillful handling of affairs. In times such as these, though Gu Qinghan oversaw the general situation, she was still a woman, and the actual management of affairs fell to Steward Qiu. If she accepted the account book, it would imply distrust and could create resentment—something that must be avoided now.

"This month, I fear we won’t be able to distribute the monthly stipends. As for the academy, when Mr. Zhuo visited the other day, though he didn’t say it outright, his meaning was clear—he seemed to be blaming us for the delayed payment." Steward Qiu sighed, "Third Madam, this situation cannot continue. According to custom, the General cannot be buried for another five days. The coming days will only bring more expenses, and the General’s funeral is a grand affair—there must not be the slightest negligence. The Dowager has said we must maintain appearances, and we dare not overstep."

Gu Qinghan’s eyes took on a look of vexation, her willow-leaf brows drawing together. "Have we already transferred all the available cash from the two shops?"

"As per your instructions, the funds have already been brought in," Steward Qiu replied. "The pharmacy needed to purchase medicinal herbs, and a sum was allocated for that half a month ago, so there isn’t much cash left there."

Yang Ning was surprised. He had thought great aristocratic families would never worry about money, but it seemed silver was now the marquisate’s greatest problem.

Seeing Gu Qinghan’s brows tightly knit, Steward Qiu suggested, "The palace’s silence is quite unusual, Third Madam. Should we send someone to inquire discreetly about what’s happening? I have a eunuch acquaintance in the palace who could find something out."

"Absolutely not," Gu Qinghan replied at once. "Without an imperial decree, we can only wait. We must never approach the palace first." After a pause, she added, "The funds from Jiangling should have arrived ten days ago. Why are they delayed? Has anyone reported from over there?"

Steward Qiu shook his head. "No one has come yet. I suspect something has delayed them. This has happened before, though rarely. The longest delay was over half a month, but the funds always arrived safely in the end. Unless there’s an accident, they should arrive in the next few days."

Gu Qinghan nodded slightly. "Once the money from Jiangling arrives, all our problems will be solved."

"But at the moment, we are truly pressed for funds," said Steward Qiu, troubled. "The treasury cannot be left without cash, and daily expenses are unavoidable. We mustn’t let the marquisate lose face for want of silver. Third Madam, should we perhaps borrow some money to tide us over?"

Gu Qinghan asked, "How much would we need?"

"If we could borrow two or three thousand taels of silver to replenish the treasury, that would suffice," Steward Qiu said confidently.

Yang Ning had thought the marquisate was facing a massive shortfall, but it turned out to be only a matter of a few thousand taels—much less than he expected. That such a prominent family would be troubled by so little was beyond his imagination.

"It’s never ideal to borrow money at a time like this," Gu Qinghan mused. "I still have some jewelry and valuables. Perhaps—"

"That must not happen, Third Madam," Steward Qiu interjected shrewdly, immediately guessing her intent. "It was my fault for not ensuring the money from Jiangling arrived in time, but I cannot let you pawn your personal belongings. If word got out, people would gossip. Besides, we have our own pawnshop—it would be unthinkable to pawn our own goods. The solution is simple enough: the pawnshop receives redemptions every day, and the pharmacy is doing good business. If we can weather a few more days, things will improve. Borrowing a little to tide us over is not difficult. I will handle it discreetly and ensure no rumors spread."

Gu Qinghan considered this and finally said, "Very well, do as you propose. Borrow three thousand taels, and as soon as the funds arrive, repay it at once."

"Third Madam, you know that when the Marquis was alive, he would not allow us too many financial dealings with outsiders," Steward Qiu explained. "This time, we’ll need to offer some collateral, as is customary."

"I understand," Gu Qinghan replied. "Find out what we can use as collateral and we’ll discuss it."

"How about using the pawnshop as collateral? Our pawnshop enjoys an excellent reputation and business. With it as security, three thousand taels can be raised immediately."

"The pawnshop?" Gu Qinghan hesitated slightly.

Steward Qiu quickly added, "The pharmacy is a legacy from the old Marquis and is the lifeblood of the household—we must not touch it. Besides, it will only be for a few days; once the funds arrive, it will be repaid, and the pawnshop’s business will not be affected."

"If you think this will work, then go ahead," Gu Qinghan decided after a moment’s thought. "Tell them we will repay the loan swiftly, and not a single coin of interest will be missing."

Steward Qiu smiled, "That will settle the matter. I’ll handle it right away." With that, he withdrew.

Once Steward Qiu had left, Yang Ning asked curiously, "Third Mother, do we really have no money in the house?"

"You never realize how costly daily life is until you run a household," Gu Qinghan sighed. "The marquisate’s expenses are already considerable, and now with the General’s funeral..." Her beautiful eyes fixed on Yang Ning. "Why are you so interested in these matters? You never cared where the money came from before."

Yang Ning grinned, "I saw you worrying about it, so I asked."

"Oh my, Ning’er knows how to care for others now," Gu Qinghan laughed. "But you needn’t worry about these things. Let me handle the troubles. When you truly take charge, then you can start worrying." She glanced at Duan Canghai, noticing his flushed face, and frowned, "Have you been drinking again?"

Duan Canghai looked embarrassed, rubbing the back of his head. "Just... just had a couple of drinks..."

Gu Qinghan sighed, "I know you’re feeling low, but we must carry on. There’s still so much to do, and you’ve been helping a lot around the house these days."

"I know," Duan Canghai said hastily. "Don’t worry, Third Madam, I won’t drink again for the next few days." He then frowned and quietly asked, "Third Madam, has there still been no word from the palace about the General’s passing?"

Gu Qinghan nodded lightly, a puzzled look in her eyes. "I find it strange as well. By rights, the palace should have sent word by now, but there’s been no news at all. Even the Loyal Marquis’s household has not come in person. I can’t help but feel something is amiss."