My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead Chapter 644: Secret Tunnel?

Qin Yuan was shocked: "Sir, are you saying that Treasure Bead has gotten mixed up with those bandits?"

Mr. Songshan nodded: "They were seen calling each other brother, many people have witnessed it. If sothing happens, how can the Five Cities Military Departnt and the Capital Governor Mansion not find out that the Seventh Miss has had interactions with them?"

If it were anyone else, it wouldn’t matter, but even the Crown Prince and others want to create trouble for the Marquis Mansion.

With the intention to fra, sothing will surely be stirred up.

Qin Yuan sighed, countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.

Mr. Songshan continued: "They also went to Li Xingshou’s place, and possibly even t the Emperor."

"...This, this... what’s this all about?"

Mr. Songshan added, "The Seventh Miss went there with your brother."

Qin Yuan sighed, "Please elaborate, Sir."

After listening to Mr. Songshan, Qin Yuan hurriedly sent soone to summon Gu Baoshu, and soon a little maid returned saying, "The Seventh Miss did not return to her courtyard today."

Qin Yuan was a bit anxious and sent soone to ask Gu Shiba if he knew about Gu Baoshu’s whereabouts.

At this ti, Gu Baoshu happened to return to the mansion through the side door. After learning that her third sister-in-law was looking for her, she imdiately hurried to Wutong Garden, and upon entering, said, "Third Sister-in-law, what’s the matter that you are seeking so urgently?"

She was still wearing the clothes for playing ball, having been out running around all day, yet she showed no sign of fatigue, full of spirit.

Qin Yuan asked, sowhat displeased, "Tell properly, after playing ball, what did you go out to do?"

Gu Baoshu chuckled, "I went to find Brother Heng for so errands, and along the way, went to Lin Jun’s family to chat idly for a while. After finishing the task, I just ca back."

Mr. Songshan asked, "What exactly were the errands the Seventh Miss did?"

Seeing Qin Yuan’s anxious face, Gu Baoshu did not hide it any further, she sat down and chugged so tea, and said, "After hearing Mr. Songshan, I thought those two people seed a bit peculiar, moreover they made an appointnt to co out to play ball again tomorrow. But I have to go for a sacrificial offering after the ball ga, not having ti to accompany, so I went to find soone to play ball together and help look after them, let them help keep an eye on these two people’s movents."

The sister-in-law was not without foresight, Qin Yuan’s tightly furrowed eyebrows relaxed slightly, and said, "It’s good that you have precautions in mind. Sir is worried that you’ve gotten involved with them, if they do sothing troubleso, and soone intentionally fras our two families, it will be troubleso."

Gu Baoshu glanced at Mr. Songshan, and asked curiously, "When I went to find you today, Sir, you were not like this, is there any new discovery?"

Mr. Songshan nodded: "Yes, after you left, I commanded Feiyun Pavilion to investigate, discovering these two people are probably leaders of Black Wind Village.

I am sowhat worried that their visit to Li Xingshou was not rely for pleasure, furthermore today they coincided with the presence of the Holy Emperor. If things get stirred up afterward, will the Marquis Mansion and Qin Family have a good outco?"

Gu Baoshu looked shocked, "The Holy Emperor? Could it be that the noble person eting with Li Xingshou is indeed the Emperor himself?"

Mr. Songshan nodded.

Gu Baoshu took a long breath.

The people of Black Wind Village are labeled rebels by the court, rebels and the Emperor took a liking to the sa courtesan.

That is truly...

"But... I still can’t believe it, how could the Emperor travel without guards, I rode around on horseback, not discovering anything."

Mr. Songshan chuckled, "You are still young, much you do not know yet. Money Street is not far from the Imperial Palace, it doesn’t sound good for the Emperor to openly patronize a courtesan. If a tunnel is dug, then no one would know, even if rumors spread, they are rely just rumors, and the Imperial Censorate would not dare to seriously impeach."

Qin Yuan seed thoughtful.

In Hangzhou Prefecture, there is a three-story tall building nad Pan Building, built by a salt rchant from Yangzhou who was enamored with the West Lake’s scenery; the building, three stories high, consists of five towers: east, west, south, north, and middle. Inside, Hangzhou’s famous courtesan Fan Yi plays the zither.

Fan Yi daily enters through a flying corridor from her residence in Xiu Garden, admirers wishing to glimpse her beauty and hear elegant music can only bid for seats in the side towers.

Legend has it Fan Yi’s feet have never touched the ground; before settling down, she resided in Xiu Garden and entertained guests in Pan Building, selling her artistry.

Many ca in admiration, thus her value increased.

When Lin Ziqi patrolled Hangzhou, he tried various thods to get close, later saying that the fad courtesan was just that.

She repeatedly asked and found out that the Hangzhou Prefect presented Fan Yi in favor of Lin Ziqi; every private eting was accessed through a tunnel from the governnt office’s backyard to Xiu Garden.

The claim of ice clean and jade pure was contrived to elevate status, deceiving those wealthy yet fond of feigned elegance.

Money Street being close to the Imperial Palace makes tunneling convenient for private etings between two, but frequent crossing by the river ans unavoidable wet feet, likely becoming a well-known secret.

Qin Yuan frowned and said, "If it truly is a tunnel, it could be trouble. Li Xingshou seed quite fond of Brother Xin upon their eting; this person intentionally approached..."

Lust and intrigue have caused many a death in history.

Li Xingshou indeed is seasoned in amorous adventures, yet even mortals harbor emotions.

She and the Emperor are closely associated, common folks struggle to impress, yet today toward Brother Xin, her deanor suggests the heart of a maiden has stirred.

This woman is embroiled in feelings, making future fortune or calamity uncertain.

One falls into love, the other plots a sche, results presage before beginning.

Gu Baoshu also gasped.

Mr. Songshan said: "The Seventh Miss thinks she might achieve great rit, yet those people wish to trap both our families in a web. Whether an attempt to assassinate the Emperor succeeds or fails, it is enough to gain fa in the Jianghu forever."

At this mont, the bright moon hung high outside the window, a chilling presence enveloped everyone inside, truly it seems mid-autumn is nearing.

Even the mournful songs of autumn insects grew bleaker, as if aware that days are numbered.

The room fell into silence, after a while Qin Yuan said, "It is best to inform the Marquis about this."

Mr. Songshan and Gu Baoshu naturally had no objections, Qin Yuan imdiately instructed Gu Shiba to send a ssage requesting Marquis Gu to return swiftly to discuss urgent matters.

Mr. Songshan bid farewell: "I will return for now, we will talk once the Marquis returns, news arrives daily from morning to night, one must stay vigilant."

Gu Baoshu also stood up: "I shall go back to change clothes and eat; when Third Brother returns, Third Sister-in-law can send word to summon ."

After seeing both off, Qin Yuan lowered her head in deep thought for a mont, then rose and went to the study.

The Marquis’ journey from the Great Camp requires one or two hours; she must contemplate thoroughly.

...

Outside the city, in the Great Camp.

Marquis Gu sat in the tent, reviewing the docunt sent by the Counselor, which recorded the recent activities of officials responsible for the Capital Inspection.

"King Jin indeed is restless," Marquis Gu snorted coldly, "Recruiting allies privately behind the Crown Prince’s back..."

The guarding soldier outside loudly announced: "General Jin requests an audience."

"Let him in," Marquis Gu put away the docunt, placing it beside him, and looked up at the heavy steps of General Jin, asking, "What’s the matter?"