Chapter 207: Killing with the Tip of a Pen
As for Lin Ziqi’s letter, it was somewhat subtle.
Apart from the greetings and consolations, he mentioned that although he deeply believed in Qin Yuan’s intelligence and cleverness to get through this ordeal, he couldn’t help but worry about her.
The restrained and implicit concern was vividly expressed on paper.
No wonder he could rank seventh in the second class as an advanced scholar in his previous life; his literary talent was indeed remarkable.
"A superior scholar kills with the pen, a middle scholar kills with the tongue, and an inferior scholar kills with a stone plate."
Qin Yuan sneered and tossed it aside.
No matter how she replied to this letter, it wouldn’t be right.
Even if she didn’t reply, Marquis Gu would probably have some suspicions.
It’s hard for women to live.
The affairs of men outside are merely talked about as romantic tales, but a few casual words from Lin Ziqi could influence her husband’s attitude, making it difficult for her to take a step in the inner mansion, leaving no room for explanation.
Seeing this, Hong Ye asked, "What did Mr. Lin write this time?"
Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "You can take a look and know."
Hong Ye pondered over it for a while and said, "Miss, why do I feel that Mr. Lin is a bit odd?"
Qin Yuan said, "Isn’t he satisfied with climbing up to Qin Wan, now he’s trying to harm me."
Cui Ming also took it and pondered.
"Miss, this letter is something the Marquis would also see. How can he write such a letter?"
There was once a marriage contract between the two, writing such a letter is an attempt to harm someone.
Qin Yuan said, "Fortunately, the Marquis does not believe him."
Hong Ye sighed and said, "From ancient times, the unfaithful were often scholars. Luckily, the Second Miss had a condition that forced this marriage upon her, otherwise, Miss would have suffered much more. Comparing them, the Marquis and he are like heaven and earth."
Cui Ming frowned and said, "Miss, why does he want to harm you like this?"
Qin Yuan laughed lightly, "Simply because Si Yuan’s poems at the Imperial College are getting better, he must have guessed something and is bitter about it, yet hampered by my father and the Marquis Mansion, he can only resort to these petty schemes."
If Marquis Gu were someone narrow-minded, he would already harbor suspicions against her.
The current Lin Junren already bears the ferocity of the future Prime Minister Lin, who kills without seeing blood.
Cui Ming said, "Miss, this matter cannot be underestimated. He is a man, and if he harbors ill intentions to tarnish your reputation outside and estrange the Marquis from you, he would find ways to do it. After all, he once had a marriage contract with you, frequents the Qin Mansion often, and it’s easy to misrepresent matters."
Marquis Gu might not believe it the first or second time, but over time, he might harbor a thorn in his heart, and by then, it would be Qin Yuan who suffers.
Hong Ye also said, "Yes, Miss, you should think of a way to deal with him and shut his mouth."
Qin Yuan nodded.
Today, Marquis Gu’s attitude was somewhat unusual.
It shows that he still cares about the past between Lin Ziqi and her.
Lin Ziqi and Qin Wan were treacherous, broke off their engagement with her, but still couldn’t stand to see her doing well.
The account can’t just be let go like this.
Qin Yuan spread out some paper, wrote a few lines, and placed it together with Lin Ziqi’s letter, saying, "Later, let Gu Shiliu find a way to send this letter to the Qin Mansion, and let my father have a look at his good son-in-law and good student, and what kind of person he really is."
All these scholars, who doesn’t know who has ulterior motives?
Cui Ming nodded.
Hong Ye was taken aback for a moment, then gave a thumbs-up and said with a smile, "Miss is indeed brilliant. This way, the Marquis can be at ease, and Father will know what Lin’s intentions are."
Qin Yuan said softly, "Father is most adept at weighing the pros and cons, but he also cares about face. Lin Ziqi, a mere scholar, thinking he can harm his two daughters, I don’t believe he won’t care."
The network of contacts that Qin Jijiu had among the scholars would unlikely be as generous to Lin Ziqi as it was in the past life.
In the upcoming spring exams, Qin Siyuan’s ranking won’t trail Lin Ziqi by much, and this time at the Jade Spring Pond, he also earned the favor of the Minister of Rites and the Lord Academic Administrator.
Qin Yuan sneered, Lin Ziqi’s future path wouldn’t go as smoothly as before.
She wasn’t any pushover; reciprocation is etiquette.
...
Marquis Gu again brought the person for interrogation.
His whole body exuded an aura of menace, making people fearful at the sight.
The nanny collapsed to the ground, seemingly unable to endure any longer.
Gu Shiliu said from outside, "Marquis, Madam sent someone to deliver a letter."
"Oh?"
Marquis Gu leisurely waved his hand.
Two attendants then dragged the nanny out, leaving a long trail of blood on the ground.
Only then did Gu Shiliu come in, speaking to Gu Jinghui, who was sitting behind the desk, "Marquis, Madam had letters sent to Manager Leng, Shen Changle, Young Master Qin, and Mr. Qin."
"None for that Lin Junren?"
"None."
Half of Marquis Gu’s face was hidden in the shadows, his deep eyes obscure and unfathomable, his lips tightly pressed into a line, clearly not in a good mood.
Gu Shiliu quickly said, "Madam wrote a letter to Mr. Qin and attached Lin Junren’s letter with it."
"Oh?"
Immediately, fire ignited in Marquis Gu’s eyes, his voice barely concealing his urgency, as he asked, "What was written?"
Gu Shiliu replied, "Madam asked Lord Sacrificial Officer why the second brother-in-law doesn’t know how to avoid suspicion, requesting the Sacrificial Officer to guide the second brother-in-law so that in the future when the second brother-in-law becomes an advanced scholar, he won’t unknowingly offend people and get ostracized."
Marquis Gu let out a light hum from his throat.
The sternness on his face lessened considerably.
Gu Shiliu asked with a smile, "Marquis, should I arrange to have the letter sent out now?"
Marquis Gu asked again, "What about the others?"
Gu Shiliu responded, "Madam told Young Master Qin to focus on his studies, with the upcoming spring exams as the priority. Madam also agreed to the proposal with Ranxiang Inn, to invest according to the recipe and share the annual dividends. Madam instructed Shen Changle to start spreading the word that the price of pepper is about to drop."
Marquis Gu pondered for a moment and smiled, "I can’t assist with the other matters, but spreading the word about the price drop in pepper is doable. You should also find people to help spread the news that Prince Qi Mansion has changed its mind about needing pepper, and that the major merchants have already found a large amount of pepper overseas, with the first batch of ships returning and the second batch about to set sail."
Gu Shiliu praised, "The Marquis and Madam have thought of the same plan, Madam arranged it this way."
Marquis Gu smiled.
"Naturally, Madam and I are in sync, you haven’t married yet, so you wouldn’t understand."
Gu Shiliu: "..."
Marquis Gu said, "You may go."
Gu Shiliu quickly went out, sent off all the letters, and contacted Gu Shiba outside to find Shen Changle and discuss how to spread the news.
Gu Shiba anticipated, "Is Madam finally going to act this time?"
Gu Shiliu said, "Naturally, Madam has always been adept, and this time the pepper price in the capital is going to plummet."
Gu Shiba, somewhat puzzled, asked Gu Shiliu, "Sixteen Brother, you say Madam’s spread information isn’t false, and the pepper price is indeed about to fall. In the future, pepper will be shipped back overseas every year, so why is Madam still thinking of hoarding pepper?"
Gu Shiliu said, "Shiba, you fool, think about it, if Madam can foresee the price drop yet wants to hoard so much pepper, what does that signify?"