My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead Chapter 442: What Do You Think I Meant?

Qin Yuan was sowhat surprised.

Shen Changle always had a festive deanor, but he was good at keeping secrets.

Seeing Cui Ming made him so happy; either he wasn’t avoiding Cui Ming, or he had received so great news that he couldn’t calm himself.

Qin Yuan said, "Oh? I wonder what they’ve been discussing to be so happy."

Cui Ming said, "It must be business. Shen Changle and Gu Shiliu often whisper together about how to get back at Book Sea Pavilion."

The two walked past flowers and willows, and as they reached the front corridor, Gu Shiliu greeted them enthusiastically, saying, "Madam has arrived, the Marquis has been waiting impatiently."

Cui Ming was worried, "With all this back and forth, the food might have gone cold."

Gu Shiliu said, "No matter, the food boxes haven’t been opened yet, and it’s only early autumn now. If Madam feels it’s cold, I can have soone reheat it. We’re very quick."

It’s just a matter of a few ups and downs.

Qin Yuan beca more curious. Just as he entered, before he could greet everyone, Mr. Songshan sighed, "Young Master Nantang has finally arrived. You’ve been busy entertaining guests these days and haven’t had a mont to gather with us."

That was an interesting thing to say.

Qin Yuan smiled, "I am but a mundane fellow, entangled in daily trivialities. I don’t have the leisure of Mr. Songshan enjoying the carefree life away from worldly burdens. Why did you summon today, brother?"

Mr. Songshan stroked his mustache and laughed heartily, "We just wanted you to join in, for without a third-rate talker alongside, we cannot be a Zhuge Liang."

Sixth Master Gu looked at Mr. Songshan with a plaintive glance and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

Gu Jinghui laughed and patted the chair beside him, saying, "Young Master Nantang, co sit and eat first. Once we’ve eaten, we can chat further."

Indeed, Qin Yuan was sowhat hungry, and nodded promptly.

"Even the Emperor wouldn’t let his soldiers starve. Nothing is more important than eating, although Mr. Songshan is used to living off the land, he should join us for so grains here and now."

Mr. Songshan laughed heartily again.

Sixth Master Gu laughed too, "Third Sister-in-law truly has a sense of humor."

Mr. Songshan imdiately flicked his finger at him, scolding, "There’s only Young Master Nantang here, where did ’Third Sister-in-law’ co from? You can’t even get your words right and yet dare complain I won’t let you join?"

Sixth Master Gu wailed, dared not fight back, but rely covered his forehead and muttered quietly, "Gentler, I’m clumsy enough, a hit will only make more clumsy."

Qin Yuan refrained from further courtesies, taking his seat with a smile, "Mr. Songshan, please be lenient. A true scholar should have the deanor of a scholar. Sixth Master Gu has that deanor already; it’s alright if he doesn’t possess the essence yet. If you ruin his scholar deanor, he’ll have no hope to beco one."

"Young Master Nantang speaks wisely. Confucius said, ’Too much substance and you beco uncouth, too much refinent and you beco pretentious; balance brings the gentleman.’ " Mr. Songshan observed Sixth Master Gu for a while then said, "Sixth Master’s appearance is quite good, with pretense upfront; as for essence, a few more years should do. Failing that, then it is indeed too foolish."

Sixth Master Gu blushed under his gaze.

Seeing his own third brother look over, he blushed even more.

Yet, he was delighted inside.

Not only did Third Sister-in-law take his side, but Mr. Songshan also personally said he could beco a scholar in a few years.

Qin Yuan curled his lips slightly, instructed Cui Ming to open the food boxes, and set out the dishes one by one. Indeed, they still kept warm.

Cui Ming also poured out so ward yellow wine.

A light aroma of smoked incense dispersed, the amber liquor looked exceptionally clear against the white porcelain cup.

Sixth Master Gu just stared in a daze.

Everyone knew he was in a trance again.

Mr. Songshan said, "Everyone loves superficial things, but Sixth Master has a naturally honest and unrefined heart. Based on sincerity alone, he surpasses many hypocritical ones. Were it up to , I’d choose Sixth Master as the scholar."

It seed that Sixth Master Gu’s performance these days softened Mr. Songshan’s heart.

The Holy Emperor’s encouragent might have added so weight too.

Such an opportunity should naturally be seized.

Qin Yuan laughed, "Sixth Master Gu, aren’t you going to thank Mr. Songshan? In the future, if you can’t beco a scholar, go find him."

The realization dawned on Sixth Master Gu upon seeing Qin Yuan constantly making eye gestures, and he swiftly rose to grip Mr. Songshan’s sleeve, performing a profound bow, "Now you’ve accepted the apprenticeship gift, you cannot refuse to teach anymore."

Mr. Songshan exclaid, "Rascal, rascal, what a disgrace to elegance."

Everyone laughed.

Gu Jinghui took the chance to ask Qin Yuan, "What was all that literary talk Mr. Songshan was saying just now?"

He was sowhat baffled, yet sowhat understood, knowing it was a good thing, but was not entirely clear about the nuances.

Qin Yuan quietly chuckled, "He appreciated Sixth Brother’s looks and deanor, finding an excuse to accept him as a student. Sixth Brother indeed has the presence of a scholar. Should he beco renowned through art in the future, it would be splendid."

Even if not, it would still be an asset in social engagents.

Far better than being mocked in secret for pretentious elegance before.

Gu Jinghui quickly glanced at his sixth brother.

Truly, Sixth Brother was indeed quite handso, both gentle and refined.

He couldn’t help but secretly resent his own ruggedness.

Mr. Songshan said to Sixth Master Gu, "I won’t drink the apprentice tea, but I’ll have several cups of apprentice wine. This yellow wine might have so origins. For every cup you toast , create a quatrain, whether five or seven characters. Make happy, and it will be complete."

Qin Yuan saw Sixth Master Gu in a bind and laughed, "Hong Ye didn’t heat too much yellow wine overall, as this yellow wine packs quite a punch. If you finish this pot, we won’t be discussing any business. The dishes were specially instructed by the Marquis for the Wutong Garden’s little kitchen; Mr. Songshan has to try a few bites first."

Sixth Master Gu quickly toasted a cup first.

Mr. Songshan took it with a smile, "In that case, let us drink leisurely the next ti we’re together."

Qin Yuan nodded, "Then I’ll have Hong Ye warm a couple of pots for you and send them over."

Everyone chatted and laughed as they finished their al.

Mr. Songshan rinsed his mouth, cleaned his hands, then smiled, "Young Master Nantang, I heard you plan to propose a new poetry the to praise the Emperor’s virtues and also comnd the Marquis and Seventh Miss’s ball skills?"

Qin Yuan nodded, "My little brother suggested it, Shen Changle found it quite good, and asked about it. I felt that with the Marquis achieving such feats, praising him excessively might be unsuitable, and thus suggested focusing on extolling the Emperor."

Sixth Master Gu couldn’t help but smile, "Brother Heng certainly has quick wit. The other day, he spontaneously recited a satirical poem, and the students followed by composing dozens on the spot, making those Yelv Family mbers lose their cool. I rember it vividly; it should be noted down for future generations to rember our prowess."

Mr. Songshan earnestly said, "Your brother’s idea is not bad. With Young Master Nantang’s guidance, I reckon Shen Changle’s business will outdo Book Sea Pavilion."

Then he gave a aningful glance at Gu Jinghui, "The Marquis truly is blessed."

Gu Jinghui looked at Qin Yuan beside him, agreeing, "I think so too."

Mr. Songshan earnestly said, "What do you think I was talking about?"