My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead

"Cui Ming, Cui Ming,"

Qin Yuan couldn’t lie down any longer.

Cui Ming hurriedly came in holding new clothes.

Qin Yuan paused upon seeing her and said, "Don’t wear this yet. I need to go to the outer courtyard to find Sixth Brother."

Looking at Cui Ming, she added, "I’ll change when I return."

Cui Ming was a bit concerned and asked, "Is Miss going to visit patients with Doctor Li after returning from the outer courtyard?"

Qin Yuan shook her head, "No, I’m going to see those who had close contact with the patients; it’s not tiring."

Cui Ming, contemplating Qin Yuan’s thoughts, styled a simple hair bun without much use of hair accessories, only tying the hair up with a ribbon and making a knot.

Qin Yuan nodded, "Not bad."

She donned a plain-colored robe and hurried to the outer courtyard with a poetry anthology, leaving Hong Ye and Cui Ming at Wutong Garden to settle accounts, only bringing Hong Mian and a little maid named Mo Yu with her.

Luckily, Sixth Master Gu was already up from his noon rest, despite the intense sun, sitting in the pavilion reading.

Qin Yuan walked straight over, seeing Sixth Master Gu’s jade-white fingers holding the book scroll, his hair loose with only a stone blue ribbon tied loosely at the end, making his jade-like face appear more gentle and tender.

"He could indeed be considered a fine gentleman of the chaotic world," Qin Yuan mused inwardly.

The Gu brothers were all exceptionally handsome.

But Gu Jinghui and Sixth Master Gu, one heroic and stern, the other gentle and relaxed, were dramatically contrasting.

One who didn’t know better would never think they were brothers.

"Third Sister-in-law?"

Sixth Master Gu stood up with surprise and joy.

His face still had fine red marks from the mat, with sleepy peach blossom eyes, appearing more affectionate when looking at people.

Qin Yuan nodded and smiled, asking, "Sixth Brother, do you have time to chat for a bit?"

Sixth Master Gu hurriedly said, "I have time, I have time. What does Third Sister-in-law seek me for?"

After they sat down, Qin Yuan placed the poetry anthology she was holding on the table and asked, "Sixth Brother, are you satisfied with the poetry anthology printed by Shen Changle?"

Sixth Master Gu blushed and said, "Third Sister-in-law, I am not exaggerating, the Qins are all talented individuals, and Si Yuan’s great talent is needless to mention. Shen Changle’s printed poetry anthology is even better than those sold in bookstores outside. In such a short time, I really don’t know how he managed it."

For this, he specially went to thank Third Brother.

Sending out such a poetry anthology, no one wouldn’t praise him a bit, also enhancing his reputation.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Sixth Brother. However, I have something to say, but don’t know if it’s appropriate or not."

Sixth Master Gu immediately sat up straight and seriously said, "Third Sister-in-law, just speak your mind."

Qin Yuan said, "I see in this poetry anthology there’s only one poem by Lord Minister. Why is that?"

"That day, Lord Minister was traveling incognito and saw us gathered to compose poetry. Being inspired, he only composed one poem."

Qin Yuan used the round fan to cover half her face, showing only her phoenix eyes, and lightly smiled, "Sixth Brother, when printing the poetry anthology, placing Lord Minister’s poem on the first page to show respect was very considerate. But why doesn’t Sixth Brother go a step further, inviting Lord Minister to compose more favorite topics to be included in the back?"

Sixth Master Gu was stunned.

He was physically weak and studied literature, naturally unable to get along with those sons of military general’s families.

Due to not succeeding in literature, those around him were also scholars without much fame; spending days boating on the lake, courting prostitutes, and pretending elegance, not progressing but damaging his reputation, he truly didn’t understand such official interactions.

"This... this..." Sixth Master Gu thought for a moment and asked, "Third Sister-in-law, is this appropriate? I’ve heard civil servants are quite lofty, would he think I’m trying to curry favor and become displeased?"

Qin Yuan sighed inwardly.

Speaking of loftiness, I’m afraid this Sixth Master Gu before me might be loftier than many in officialdom.

If not backed by the Dingbei Marquis Mansion.

Who knows what kind of life the gentle Sixth Master would lead.

Qin Yuan solemnly said, "Sixth Master, thinking like this is wrong; since ancient times, scholars have befriended each other through writings. Besides writings, wealth, liquor, and lust are human nature; there is no real division of superiority, naturally, reputation is something everyone likes, which scholar or poet doesn’t wish to leave a good name in history?"

Sixth Master Gu was dumbfounded.

He felt that his young Third Sister-in-law understood so thoroughly; why hadn’t he thought of this?

Qin Yuan continued, "When I was at the Qin Mansion, I heard that this Lord Minister loves those with talent. Sixth Master could invite him to write a preface for the poetry anthology and casually compose a few poems to enhance it."

Sixth Master Gu clapped and exclaimed, "Brilliant, brilliant, how thoughtful of Third Sister-in-law to come up with such an idea, but how should we invite this Lord Minister to write a preface?"

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "I can give you a suggestion, just leave this matter to Shen Changle. When he was at Qin Mansion, he often saw my father and his colleagues singing and exchanging responses, very experienced. If you are not assured, I can write a letter and have someone bring it to Shen Changle, who can take it to consult my father for advice."

Sixth Master Gu sighed upon hearing this, "Is there anything difficult when it comes to Third Sister-in-law?"

Qin Yuan said, "There’s indeed a lot. I’m just an ordinary person; even the account books in this mansion are difficult for me."

Sixth Master Gu chuckled a few times and couldn’t help but think of Sixth Madam, sighing a few more times.

Third Brother indeed has good fortune.

Envious to no end.

Qin Yuan continued, "I heard Sixth Master enjoys nurturing flowers and painting, both elegant pursuits scholars admire. If Sixth Master could paint scenes and figures from that day at the lake, and attach it afterward in the poetry anthology, it would complement each other and add literary charm. Befriending through painting or flowers is also elegant; as the saying goes, those with similar hobbies connect easily, and surely one or two kindred spirits can be found."

Sixth Master Gu pinched the embroidered pattern on his sleeve, lowered his head in embarrassment, and said, "I paint just out of whim, doodling with my teacher as a child, never having sought a renowned master."

Qin Yuan said, "It doesn’t matter. Sixth Brother, could you let someone bring your old works for me to see?"

Sixth Master Gu hurriedly had a servant bring over the lotus flower he casually sketched yesterday.

When Qin Yuan unfolded it, Sixth Master Gu lightly curled his fingers, tightly pinching the sleeve’s embroidered edge, lowering his eyelids, not daring to look at Qin Yuan’s expression.

After a long while, Qin Yuan finally said, "Sixth Brother’s painting is lively just lacks structure. Why not seek a master for guidance?"

"Do you really think my painting is good?"

Sixth Master Gu suddenly raised his head, eyes bright.

Qin Yuan smiled, "May I speak candidly, Sixth Brother’s painting possesses more spirit than poetry."

Facing such a flowery smile, Sixth Master Gu’s face turned red.

His heart raced like a startled deer.

"Well..."

Sixth Master Gu hadn’t finished speaking when Marquis Gu’s cold voice sounded, "What are you doing here?"

Both were surprised and turned to look simultaneously.

Marquis Gu, with Gu Shiliu behind him holding a large bamboo box stuffed full, had somehow entered from outside the courtyard.

As he spoke, Marquis Gu had already walked into the pavilion, his face stern as water.

Qin Yuan rose and greeted a few steps forward, waving her round fan at Gu Jinghui, "Where did you come back from? Why are you sweating so much?"

Sixth Master Gu saw his handsome Third Brother’s face already full of smiles, gently responding, "Someone outside threw something in, also wanting to speak to me over the wall, so I went over to take a look."

Qin Yuan immediately asked, "Have these things been fumigated?"

"Rest assured, they’ve all been fumigated."

Gu Jinghui’s face softened further and asked, "Why are you sitting here? What were you talking about?"