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

Sixth Master Gu couldn’t help but hum lightly in his heart, inexplicably feeling a bit temperamental, not wanting to speak.

After Qin Yuan finished speaking, Gu Jinghui praised, "You truly are my virtuous assistant. Mother was right; daughters of civil servant families are indeed extraordinary. More reading leads to more understanding."

Qin Yuan teased with a smile, "In his letter, my father still worries whether you have been reading and repeatedly emphasizes not to waste time while sealed in the mansion. Without external affairs to disturb, it is a great time for studying. He loves testing people’s lessons, and once the mansion is unsealed, my father might just ask what you have been studying all this time."

Marquis Gu’s face stiffened.

The ’Spring and Autumn Annals’ are rather difficult to comprehend, while the ’Romance of the Three Kingdoms’—well, I’ve read some of it.

This...

Marquis Gu feels somewhat reluctant to meet his old father-in-law.

Sixth Master Gu couldn’t help but feel envious.

Secretly thinking, the father of the Third Sister-in-law even oversees Third Brother’s reading, wanting him to be adept in both literature and martial arts, while his own Yue Family...

Changing the topic, Qin Yuan said, "I need to borrow Marquis’s study for a while. Sixth Brother, could you give me this manuscript?"

Sixth Master Gu nodded, "If Third Sister-in-law likes it, take it."

He calculated in his mind whether to move all the picture albums in the mansion for study, and later find a renowned teacher once the mansion is opened.

Marquis Gu asked, "What do you want to write?"

Qin Yuan answered, "To write a letter to Shen Changle."

Marquis Gu then asked, "Does Sixth Brother want to come along?"

Sixth Master Gu knew Third Brother preferred him not to follow but was eager to see Third Sister-in-law’s calligraphy, so he responded, "Yes."

Marquis Gu paused briefly and then walked beside Qin Yuan, with Sixth Master Gu following behind.

Once in the study, Marquis Gu chuckled, "This time, I’ll grind the ink myself."

Qin Yuan playfully warned, "Be careful then, grind less and do not waste it. Remember resources are precious, cherish them."

Marquis Gu pleaded, "Understood."

Sixth Master Gu felt himself redundant.

Fortunately, Qin Yuan took good care of him, occasionally picking some casual topics to ask him, further inquiring what he likes to draw, whether he prefers freehand or meticulous styles...

When Marquis Gu finished grinding the ink, Qin Yuan unfolded the letter paper, dipped the brush into the ink, and began writing.

Just after completing the first character, Sixth Master Gu’s eyes sparkled brightly, immediately praising aloud, "Great calligraphy, so the documents on Third Brother’s desk were written by Third Sister-in-law."

Marquis Gu replied, "Mind your words. This matter must not be disclosed."

Sixth Master Gu promptly nodded, lowering his voice, "Third Brother, I understand its importance."

That document Sixth Master Gu had seen; not only was it inscribed beautifully, but it was also eloquent, outlining the noble righteousness, enduring sacrifice of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion for the nation, without seeming exaggerated or causing aversion.

At the time, he asked Third Brother who drafted the document with such mastery.

Third Brother mysteriously told him not to meddle.

Unexpectedly, it was the Third Sister-in-law right before his eyes.

It turns out Qin Siyuan and Lin Ziqi’s words were true, Third Sister-in-law’s talents surpassed many men in this world.

Seeing Sixth Brother’s increasingly fervent gaze upon his little wife, Marquis Gu couldn’t help but cough again and again.

Sixth Master Gu seemed oblivious.

However, Qin Yuan asked him, "What’s wrong, is your throat uncomfortable?"

Marquis Gu: "...Nothing..."

He turned his body, blocking Sixth Master Gu’s sight, only then Sixth Master Gu drew back his gaze, asking, "Is Third Sister-in-law asking about Shen Changle’s stamp matter?"

Qin Yuan replied, "It’s merely a matter of a few sentences, but I think this painting of Sixth Brother might not be completed quickly. It might be better to find a painter to assist in painting, with Sixth Brother accompanying, perhaps forming good relations. What does Sixth Brother think?"

"That would naturally be excellent."

Sixth Master Gu mused again, "Third Sister-in-law’s arrangements are thoroughly thoughtful, no wonder people have been saying Third Sister-in-law manages the mansion admirably."

Qin Yuan smilingly said, "I dare not acknowledge such words, as the saying goes, the higher the praise, the greater the fall. If everyone praises my abilities but I fail at some point, wouldn’t they say they were wrong about me?"

Sixth Master Gu stomped his foot, "Remarkable, remarkable, Third Sister-in-law’s words are profound. I share the same thought."

Gu Jinghui listened to his liveliness, coldly huffed, "Your Third Sister-in-law’s diligence in work means she doesn’t boast or let others boast, while you fail and accept it. Is that the same?"

Qin Yuan glanced at Marquis Gu.

Sixth Master Gu hastily declared, "Don’t look down on me, Third Brother. I heed Third Sister-in-law’s advice to make friends through art, cultivation, and perhaps one day you’ll see me differently."

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west, do not underestimate the young, poor? Hmm?" Marquis Gu mocked initially but then generously remarked, "If that day comes, I’ll laugh myself awake dreaming. No need to change views, you’re always my Sixth Brother regardless."

Sixth Master Gu: "..."

Feeling moved but also wanting to punch Third Brother.

Amidst the brothers’ chatter, Qin Yuan finished writing the letter, sealed it, and said, "Then I must trouble my husband to send it. This one is to my father, don’t mix them up."

She had to find Doctor Li and had no time for the brothers’ banter.

Gu Jinghui tasked Gu Shiliu to handle it, while Qin Yuan quickly returned to Wutong Garden with two maids, changed her attire, and took the box of incense pills to seek Doctor Li and Xiao Dong.

Doctor Li and Xiao Dong sat in the courtyard, with Imperial Physician Liu’s room nailed shut, yet painful moans could still be heard occasionally.

Xiao Dong quietly asked, "Master, this Imperial Physician Liu has already..."

Doctor Li replied quietly as well, "Are you afraid?"

Xiao Dong said, "A bit scared, yet somewhat glad."

"Why?"

"Glad because this Imperial Physician Liu was not a good person, doing bad things in the Marquis Mansion, harming Master’s sister and her husband. Scared because he was mocking us just days ago and now ends up like this."

Doctor Li stated, "You are still young and don’t understand ’to serve the emperor is to serve a tiger.’ Marquis Gu from the Northern Border walked amid mountains of corpses; the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, previously had six or seven male masters, but now only two. You’ve seen Sixth Master Gu, frail and weak, otherwise, he might not have survived. Do you think this person who offended Marquis Gu can still live?"

Saying this, he gestured towards Imperial Physician Liu’s room.

Xiao Dong looked at the profound Doctor Li, "But he was nice to us."

"Fool, that’s because he saw it in your sister’s favor. Of course, we have our abilities, worthy of that kindness. Yet, in this world, many possess talents but remain obscure. If you fail to recognize this, you’re muddled, sold by others while counting money for them."

Xiao Dong resolved, "I trust my sister won’t sell me."

Doctor Li’s eyes reflected a trace of sentiment, neither acceding nor denying Xiao Dong’s naive words, merely gazing steadily at Xiao Dong, his thoughts drifted far and wide, no longer aware of whom he was observing.

When Qin Yuan arrived, both the elder and the younger remained silent, each lost in their own thoughts.

Xiao Dong asked, "Sister, why have you come only now?"

Qin Yuan sighed, unwilling to speak ill of Marquis Gu, simply saying, "I prepared some incense for Sixth Madam, hence the delay."

Doctor Li’s eyes suddenly lifted to observe the box in her hand.